Human Rights in North Korea
The human rights record in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) has been widely condemned by the international community, including by the EU and the European Parliament. The ascension of the latest ruler of the Kim dynasty, Kim Jong-un, in December 2011 has not brought tangible change. Since the country is practically closed to foreigners, the human rights situation can only be evaluated based on the testimonies of refugees and defectors. Their reports consistently reveal blatant and unrepentant violations of human rights, which aim to elicit the total submission of the country's citizens to the regime and its ideology. While the majority of North Koreans suffer from permanent hunger, those who try to leave the country face harsh punishment upon repatriation. Citizens suspected of being disloyal to the regime and their families are placed, without trial, in prison camps with abhorrent conditions. North Korea is among the countries carrying out the highest numbers of executions in the world.
In-Depth Analysis
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Publication type
Author
Policy area
Keyword
- Asia and Oceania
- communications
- criminal law
- cruel and degrading treatment
- EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
- food shortage
- freedom of assembly
- freedom of expression
- GEOGRAPHY
- health
- human rights
- LAW
- North Korea
- pluralism in the media
- political framework
- POLITICS
- politics and public safety
- prison system
- rights and freedoms
- rule of law
- SOCIAL QUESTIONS
- torture