North Korean Human rights
Camp Name | Location | No. of Prisoners | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
March 2020 | July 2021 | June 2022 | ||
Camp No. 14 | Gaechon, South Pyongan Province | 43,000 | 43,000 | 36,800 |
Camp No. 15 | Yodok, South Hamgyon Province | 55,000 | 56,800 | 42,900 |
Camp No. 16 | Hwasong, North Hamgyong Province | 24,000 | 24,000 | 28,700 |
Camp No. 17 | Gaechon, South Pyongan Province | 21,000 | 20,800 | 41,200 |
Camp No. 18 | Pukchang, South Pyongan Province | 26,000 | 25,800 | 20,200 |
Camp No. 25 | Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province | 40,000 | 41,000 | 36,000 |
Camp Sungho-ri | Sungho, North Hwanghae Province | 21,000 | 0 | |
Camp Pyongsan | Pyongsan North Hwanghae Province | Unknown | Unknown | |
Total | 209,000 | 232,400 | 205,800 |
Source: Dong-hee Moon, "The number of prisoners in North Korea's political prison camps decreased by 20,000 last year," Daily NK, 26 August, 2022 https://www.dailynk.com/20220826-5/
Kidnapping and Forced Missing Foreigners
North Korea has been abducting foreigners and Korean nationals since 1950 as part of its state policy. The purpose of the kidnappings was to train spies and military schools, to prevent ethnic marriages with Koreans, and for general intelligence activities. The North Korean government has admitted to kidnapping many Japanese nationals, including Yaeko Taguchi, Megumi Yokoda, and Terakoe Takeshi. There are also concerns about the human rights violations of Koreans in Japan and their Japanese spouses. North Korea has continued to detain missionaries since 2013-2014. There have been cases of kidnapping of Korean nationals, including the hijacking of Korean Air flight YS-11 in December 1969. The victims have not been repatriated, causing international outrage.
Others, Labor Axploitation
“The forced labor was severe. They weren’t treating us as a human being, rather like an animal.”- Gil-soon Shim
The prevalent torture and arbitrary detention of political prisoners in North Korea violates the basic principles of human rights as per the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite having its own regulations on torture and inhumane treatment, North Korea fails to comply with the principles of life and bodily autonomy. Punishment without trial and corruption in judicial proceedings are rampant. Although the level of violence has decreased, cases of torture and human rights violations continue to occur, and public execution is prevalent. The article concludes with an account of personal defamation and sexual harassment in rallying stations for repatriated defectors.