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In South Hamgyong province, authorities are intensifying their crackdown on private hairdressers and barbers, despite the continued demand for personalized haircuts. Many individuals continue to seek out these stylists, even as they adjust their practices to avoid detection. A source reported that the city's People's Committee ordered neighborhood offices to target private hairdressers and barbers last month.

These officials, known as inminbanjang, are responsible for monitoring households and reporting any instances of paid hair services conducted outside of state-run facilities. Despite the higher prices, private stylists remain popular due to their ability to cater to individual customer preferences. Young people, in particular, are dissatisfied with the standardized haircuts offered at state-run salons and barbershops.

To evade scrutiny, private stylists have closed their doors, moved their tools to other areas of their homes, and now serve only regular customers or visit clients directly. Some even continue to build trust with neighborhood watch heads by fulfilling non-tax burdens, helping them stay under the radar.