North Korea

Millions of people in North Korea suffer extreme forms of repression and violations that infringe upon nearly the entire spectrum of their human rights. In January 2013, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said that North Korea had “one of the worst—but least understood and reported—human rights situations in the world.” Hundreds of thousands of people, including children, are arbitrarily held in political prison camps and other detention facilities where they are subjected to forced labor, denial of food as punishment, torture, and public executions. Many of those held in political prison camps are family members of people deemed unfriendly to the regime; family members are arbitrarily detained as a form of collective punishment.[1] 

North Korea, officially named the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia located on the northern half of the Korean peninsula. North Korea is bordered by South Korea to the south and China and Russia to the north. North Korea is approximately the size of Pennsylvania and has an estimated population of 25.5 million people.[2] 

Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided into North Korea and South Korea. North Korea became communist under the rule of Kim Il-sung, who began a series of social and economic reforms throughout the country. The Korean War, between communist and Soviet-backed North Korea and democratic and U.S.-backed South Korea, lasted from 1950-1953. The war reached a stalemate and the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, to “insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.” The Korean peninsula was split into communist North Korea and democratic South Korea. The Armistice was simply a ceasefire and a ‘final peaceful settlement’ has yet to be reached. [3] However, in 2018 and 2019, North and South Korean leaders held meetings alongside the United States, thus reigniting hopes of a potential peace agreement. [4] 

Kim Il-sung in 1950

Following the war and with support from the Soviet Union, Kim Il-sung made efforts to make North Korea self-reliant, or ‘Juche.’[5] North Korea industrialized and saw economic growth through the 1950s and ‘60s, but the 1970s brought high oil prices and a technology gap that left communist countries struggling. Other countries opted for reform, but North Korea maintained a rigid state-controlled system. High military spending and economic crises caused North Korea to default on all the country’s loans in 1980 except those owed to Japan.[6] Kim Il-sung refused to open the country to foreign investment. 

Known as the ‘Great Leader’ or the ‘Heavenly Leader,’ Kim Il-sung restricted almost all aspects of society. He placed a large emphasis on loyalty and hierarchy and created a cult mentality within North Korea’s population. He replaced spiritual components of religion with loyalty to the state and ruling family to maintain control over the population.[7] The government claims that this is ‘genuine hero worship’ rather than a cult of personality.[8] 

Kim Il-sung died in 1994 and the country exhibited an outpouring of grief. Kim Il-sung’s son, Kim Jong-il, took control of the country and appointed a number of his relatives to high-ranking government and military positions.[9] The country has since struggled with economic collapse, widespread and continuing famine, and an entirely closed political environment.[10] 

Kim Jong-il died in 2011 and was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-un.[11]  

North Korea has a dire human rights record and pervasive problems include arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, starvation and malnutrition, lack of press freedom, and a lack of due process or rule of law.[12]  

North Korea separates its people into different classifications through its system of “songbun.” This is a socio-political system that divides citizens into three separate groups: loyal, wavering, or hostile. These classes dictate the path that individuals and families will have regarding their access to higher education and jobs,which in turn affects their wealth and power. There is, however, some ability to move between groups due to the corrupt nature of officials [13] 

It is important to note that, due to the extremely repressive nature of the North Korean government on its press and ability to enter or leave the country, the depth and breadth to which human rights violations are occurring cannot be fully ascertained.  

Starvation 

Starvation and famine are massive problems in North Korea, as the country itself is unable to provide adequate food for its population. Reports continue of people dying of starvation and nearly a million North Koreans have starved to death since the 1990s.[14] Despite small increases in household food consumption reportedly due to recent improved harvests, food insecurity and chronic malnutrition remain widespread, and millions remain dependent on food aid.[15] A survey carried out by the North Korean government with United Nations support reported that one-third of the population suffers from stunting, a condition of below normal body growth, which also affects cognitive development.[16] In 2019, North Korea faced one of its worst harvests yet, thus putting thousands of lives in jeopardy and in great need for food aid. However, due to North Korea’s increased spending on nuclear arms rather than food for citizens, many organizations and countries are reluctant give aid that they fear will never be used for its intended purpose – food. [17]  

Locations of prison camps in North Korea

Forced Labor and Camps 

Most North Koreans will be forced into unpaid labor sometime in their lives. Specifically, citizens are assigned to unpaid jobs which they may not take time off from without penalty. However, they must also feed themselves and their families and, thus, are forced to find other jobs and ways to work to bring in money. [18] 

Aside from assigned, unpaid jobs in North Koreans’ daily lives, any infraction could lead to being sent to a forced labor camp. There are three different types of forced labor camps: short term, long term, and political prison camps. While all of these camps have grueling, unjust conditions, political prison camps are the worst. [19] North Koreans deemed ‘unloyal’ to the regime or otherwise ‘politically undesirable’ are sent to prison camps and detention centers for life. Estimates are that between 80,000-120,000 North Koreans are incarcerated in political prison camps, including children, who face torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. [20] [21] Prisoners are forced to work in slave-like conditions and many prisoners die in the camps because of starvation, lack of medical care, abuse by guards, and unhygienic living conditions. Prisoners are refused trial.[22] It was estimated in 2012 by The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK) that more than 10,000 people die in the prison camps every year.[23] From just 1963-2003 over 400,000 people perished in the camps. [24] 

Gender–Based Violence 

The gender-based violence occurring in North Korea poses a great threat to the women living there. Specifically, the breeding of subservience of women in North Korea begins at a young age. As these girls get older, the limitations imposed on them in an already restrictive society make it much harder for them to join the military, attend college, or insert themselves into politics and thus gain some semblance of power. In addition, women are often punished through rape, torture, and sexual abuse for actions committed by other family members. In detention camps, especially in political prison camps, women face sexual assault and gender-based violence from guards and officers. Although North Korea has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), these rights are simply not enforced. [25]   

Press 

Media control by the North Korean government is among the strictest in the world. Although the constitution grants freedom of speech and press, the government prohibits the exercise of both.[26] Reporters Without Borders ranked North Korea’s freedom of the press last in the world at 180th in 2020. [27] The only news allowed in North Korea is information that favors the regime. Foreign criticism or articles about economic and political issues are not allowed.[28] Internet access for citizens is severely restricted, some reports stating fewer than 30 websites are available to the public. [29] Citizens’ phone communication is also monitored by the regime, especially when people try to communicate or access information outside of North Korea. [30]  

Escaping 

Since the Korean War, many North Koreans have attempted to escape from the country, and some of the escapes have been successful. Typically, citizens first attempt to escape to China, move through Laos or Thailand, and then finally reach South Korea. [31]  

 Before 2011, an average of 2,700 North Koreans escaped and reached South Korea annually. However, since Kim Jong-un came to power, these numbers have diminished to about 800 refugees annually. A large part of this decrease in numbers is due to Jong-un’s crackdown on border enforcement. Specifically, he has increased the presence of checkpoints, surveillance, barbed-wire fencing, and guards on the Chinese-North Korean border. In addition, China has also increased cooperation in monitoring their side of the border and ensuring repatriation if North Korean refugees are found. [32] Those who escape are caught and returned to the country, where they are known as enemies of the state and are sent to political prison camps upon their return. [33]  

Despite its human rights violations, North Korea remains a part of the United Nations. In fact, North Korea has ratified five human rights treaties relating to children, women, disabilities, civil and political rights, and economic, social, and cultural rights. However, these treaties are not followed or implemented by any means within the state. [34] North Korea has also been compliant in agreeing to a Universal Periodic Review and accepted, but has yet to implement, recommendations made by the U.N. [35] These gross violations have led to many condemnations of the country. Specifically, the U.N. General Assembly has condemned North Korea every year since 2005 for its conduct. [36] In December 2015, the UN Security Council made North Korea part of its formal human rights agenda. The Human Rights Council, and later the UN General Assembly’s 3rd Committee, adopted resolutions condemning North Korea’s human rights violations. [37] In March of 2013, the UN Human Rights Council established a year-long Commission of Inquiry to investigate a range of “systematic, widespread, and grave” human rights violations including crimes against humanity in North Korea.[38] This report detailed the human rights abuses occurring in the country, ranging from forced abortion to enslavement to torture and extermination. [39]  

Since taking power in 2011, Kim Jong-un had not engaged in diplomatic efforts or met with the leaders of any foreign nation. However, in 2018 South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics which North Korea surprisingly attended. [40] This was the start of further diplomatic efforts by the nation, as Kim Jong-un met with the U.S. and South Korean presidents and Russian foreign minister later that year as well. [41] These diplomatic efforts continued into 2019 with Kim Jong-un meeting with Chinese, South Korean, US, Vietnamese, and Russian presidents. [42]   

Ultimately, China has been the largest trade partner with North Korea, with estimates that  China accounts for more than 70% of North Korea’s international trade.[43] Thus, China has the potential to exert pressure and influence on the state regarding its human rights violations but has failed to do so, even despite recent meetings between leaders in 2018 and 2019. [44] 

Tensions between North and South Korea have been high since the 1950 Korean War and the respective armistice that was signed in place of an official peace treaty. However, following the 2018 Olympics, leaders of both states have met on multiple occasions in what appears to diplomatic progress. Part of this apparent progress may be due in part to Moon Jae-In’s election in 2017 as South Korea’s president. Alongside meeting with Kim Jong-un, Moon has allowed humanitarian organizations to “engage in projects with North Korea” and has pledged to have peace and reunification of the two states by 2045. [45] [46] However, Moon has yet to enforce the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2016 which requires South Korea to assist escaped North Koreans and provide reports on the human rights situation in North Korea. Also, in November of 2019, Moon withdrew South Korea from the U.N. North Korea human rights condemnation report that they had been annually co-sponsoring since the mid 2000s. [47] 

Finally, tensions between the United States and North Korea have been turbulent throughout the years. This has been due both to North Korea’s human rights abuses and, in recent times, to its nuclear programs. In past years, under the Obama administration, sanctions were placed on top North Korean officials regarding their human rights violations. [48] In 2017, 23 test missiles were launched and nuclear tests were conducted by North Korea, resulting in a peak of the tensions between the state and the US —including exchanges of insults between leaders. More information regarding US-North Korean nuclear and missile diplomacy can be found here.  

Looking forward, Kim Jong-un appears to be more open to talking with diplomatic leaders. Specifically, with enthusiasm shown from South Korean leader Moon Jae-in, a possibility final peace settlement could happen. However, any improvements in North Korea’s human rights situation appear to be bleak, as there is a lack of increased international pressure on the country.  

Also, in late April of 2020, after Kim Jong-un had not been seen in a while, various media outlets were speculating as to whether he was dead or in a vegetative state after undergoing heart surgery. However, in May of 2020 North Korean media released video and photos that showed the leader apparently alive and well. [49] 

Supplementary Materials:

‘North Korea Extends Its No-Free Zone‘ by Jack Rendler, North Korea Country Specialist, Amnesty International USA (PDF download)

This page was written by Rachel Hall Beecroft. 

Last Updated: June 2020 

References: 

[1] Render, Jack, North Korea Country Specialist, Amnesty International USA. E-mail interview. 26 April 2013.[2] “The World Factbook: North Korea.” Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[3] Shah, Dhruti. “North Korea – A Country Never at Peace.” BBC News. 04 Sept. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013.[4] https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/22/asia/north-korea-south-korea-peace-treaty-intl/index.html 

[5] Lee, Grace. “The Political Philosophy of Juche.” Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs 3 (2003): 105-12. 

[6] Shah, Dhruti. “North Korea – A Country Never at Peace.” BBC News. 04 Sept. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013.[7] Lee, Grace. “The Political Philosophy of Juche.” Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs 3 (2003): 105-12. 

[8] Lodestar May-June 2005. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[9] Shah, Dhruti. “North Korea – A Country Never at Peace.” BBC News. 04 Sept. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[10] “The World Factbook: North Korea.” Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[11] Shah, Dhruti. “North Korea – A Country Never at Peace.” BBC News. 04 Sept. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[12] “North Korea.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[13] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/north-korea 

[14] “World Report 2013: North Korea.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[15] “AFP: Millions of N.Koreans dependant on food aid.” Yahoo News Singapore. 13 Mar. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013 

[16] “World Briefing | Asia; North Korea: A Third of Children Under 5 Are Stunted, U.N. Says.” The New York Times. 13 June 2012. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[17] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/world/asia/north-korea-food.html?auth=login-google 

[18] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/north-korea 

[19] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea 

[20] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44069749 

[21] “World Report 2013: North Korea.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[22] “Annual Report 2012: North Korea.” Amnesty International. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[23] “Human Rights Groups Call on UN Over N.Korea Gulag.” The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[24] Omestad, Thomas. “Gulag Nation.” U.S.News & World Report. 15 June 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[25] HRW-2018 

[26] “North Korea’s tightly controlled media.” BBC News. 19 Dec. 2011. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[27] https://rsf.org/en/north-korea 

[28] “North Korea’s tightly controlled media.” BBC News. 19 Dec. 2011. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[29] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37426725] 

[30] https://rsf.org/en/north-korea 

[31] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/north-korea 

[32] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea 

[33] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/north-korea 

[34] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea 

[35] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/north-korea 

[36] https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3071714 

[37] “North Korea Events of 2015.” Human Rights Watch. 2015. Accessed 17 February 2017. 

[38] “North Korea’s Human Rights Crisis.” Amnesty International. 13 Apr. 2013. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[39] https://www.hrw.org/node/268019?page=1 

[40] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42770887 

[41] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea 

[42] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/north-korea 

[43] Demick, Barbara. “China’s trade with North Korea increases.” Los Angeles Times. 28 Dec. 2012. Accessed 07 May 2013. 

[44] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/north-korea 

[45] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/north-korea 

[46] https://www.ft.com/content/0fd71f12-bf10-11e9-89e2-41e555e96722 

[47] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/north-korea 

[48] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/north-korea 

[49] [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/world/asia/kim-jong-un-alive.html]