Human Rights for North Korea – Is the Crisis Urgent?

The isolated totalitarian state with an authoritarian at the helm, has violated human rights for years. The transgressions range from political repression to limiting human movement. Human Rights for North Korea citizens have been of concern to the world for many years.

Government has strict control over individual expression by its citizens. And the harsh regime is known to suppress opposition to the government and restrict citizens access to information.

One of the countries with worst human rights, North Korea punishes political prisoners in special camps. It isolates dissenters, often subjecting prisoners to inhumane treatment and forced labour. The government’s control over the people extends to religious freedom, which it limits to state-sanctioned worship. Additionally, North Korea’s reclusive nature and strained international relations contribute to difficulties in addressing and understanding the full extent of its human rights violations.

Historical Background of Human Rights in North Korea

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has a longstanding history of repression and is a most isolated country because of it. This goes back to the formation of the country by Kim Il Sung in 1948. The Kim family, with Kim Jong Un as the supreme leader since 2011, has maintained tight control over the nation using totalitarian methods.

Kim Family

The Kim family and its ideologies exercise influence over the political structure of the country. This is collectively known as Juche. This governing principle emphasises self-reliance and extreme nationalism, while the ruling Workers’ Party (WPK) is at the core of exerting power and control over its citizens. Consequently, the North Korean government has been repeatedly scrutinised for its dismal human rights record.

Kim Il Sung

During the reign of Kim Il Sung, the country developed an elaborate system of social controls and domestic surveillance. He introduced the concept of songbun, or social status. Songbun plays a significant role in determining a person’s access to education, employment, and even food rations. He imposed a hierarchical system to maintain loyalty to the regime.

Kim Jong Il

Under the rule of Kim Jong Il, the country experienced a devastating famine in the 1990s. It led to the deaths of an estimated one million people. The regime’s policies prioritised survival of the political elite and military at the expense of ordinary citizens. This crisis exposed human rights abuses in North Korea.

The government continued to restrict freedom of speech, expression, and association. It severely punished anyone who voiced dissent or attempted to escape the country.

Kim Jong Un

The supreme leader, Kim Jong Un has been in power since 2011. Under his rule, the country’s human rights record has not improved. It remains a realm of widespread abuses. They include harsh punishments, forced labour, and the existence of political prison camps (kwanliso). These camps are notorious for harsh conditions, torture, and inhumane treatment of prisoners, including public executions.

Despite some minor economic reforms implemented by Kim Jong Un, the North Korean government has been unrelenting in suppressing dissent and restricting basic human rights. International organisations and bodies, such as Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, have worked tirelessly to document and expose violations. But the country remains impenetrable and resistant to external pressure to reform.

Understanding the North Korean Government and Its Policies

The ruling Workers’ Party of Korea holds significant control over all aspects of the totalitarian regime. A key characteristic of the government is its heavy reliance on state-owned enterprises which dominate the economy. They play a crucial role in maintaining political power.

Corruption Encouraged

Corruption is a widespread issue that has infiltrated the government in North Korea. The regime fuels it by encouraging a system of patronage. Those in power offer economic benefits and privileges to those who demonstrate loyalty and support.

This practice is evident in both political and military hierarchies. As a result, corruption has become a means for ordinary citizens to survive. This is due to the inadequacy of state provisions for their basic needs.

Censorship

As part of its repressive policies, the government controls and censors the flow of information within the country. According to a US State Department’s report, the regime monitors all forms of communication and media, preventing North Koreans from accessing information about the outside world. This is part of the regime’s approach to maintaining its grip on power and enforcing ideological conformity among the people.

Concentration Camps

Human rights violations in North Korea are extensive and well-documented. The regime maintains concentration camps where political dissidents, religious followers, and others who are a perceived threat to the authorities are imprisoned without due process under brutal conditions. Many are subjected to torture, forced labour, and public executions. The isolation of the country makes it hard for human rights organisations to investigate and address these issues.

Commission of Enquiry

In recent years, the international community has made efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its actions. The United Nations Human Rights Council has established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations in the country. These efforts aim to draw attention to the ongoing crisis and engage in diplomatic engagement to encourage North Korea to improve its human rights record.

Political Prison Camps and Ordinary Prison Camps

North Korea is known for its political prison camps which are used to segregate and punish those considered enemies of the State. These camps differ significantly from ordinary prison camps, where conditions might be somewhat less harsh for non-political prisoners.

Political prison camps (Kwanliso) house tens of thousands of prisoners, including entire families, who suffer from extreme conditions of forced labour, abuse, and torture. Some well-known political prison camps in North Korea are:

• Kaechon (No. 14),
• Yodok (No. 15 – closed), and
• Hwasong (No. 16).

These camps are surrounded by high walls and barbed wire, making escapes virtually impossible. Inmates are subjected to dangerous workplace conditions, malnutrition, and abuse by prison guards.

Ordinary prison camps (Kyohwaso), function as re-education centers for those who have committed non-political crimes. While the conditions in ordinary prison camps are not as extreme as those in political camps, prisoners still undergo forced labour, overcrowding, inadequate food, and lack medical care. There have also been reports of torture and abuse in ordinary prison camps. Some ordinary prison camps are:

• Kaechon (No. 1),
• Tongrim (No. 2), and
• Sinuiju (No. 3).

Although ordinary prison camps are not intended to house political prisoners, the distinction between political and non-political prisoners can become blurred within North Korea’s harsh penal system. Individuals accused of lesser political offences might end up in ordinary prison camps. Those who are perceived as threats to the regime may be sent to political prison camps without due process.

Despite international pressure to release prisoners and dismantle these camps, North Korea continues to operate them. United Nations human rights experts have called for these camps to be closed, and the international community remains committed to holding North Korea accountable for its human rights abuses.

When or if this happens is speculative.

Press Freedom and Control of Information

The press in North Korea is closely tied to the country’s communist sociopolitical structures. Its operations are guided by the Soviet Communist theory for its relationship with the government. The state maintains strict control of information, claiming almost total influence over what its citizens see, hear, and read. As such, press freedom is virtually non-existent, leading Reporters without Borders (RSF) to rank North Korea last in its World Press Freedom Index.

The state media is the primary source of news, entertainment, and information for North Koreans. This media consistently praises the government and its leaders, ensuring the flow of information aligns with the established political agenda. Due to the restrictive environment, independent media cannot operate within the country. As a result, North Koreans receive information in accordance with the regime’s narrative.

However, some North Koreans have managed to access foreign information through illegal means. According to surveys conducted with North Korean defectors, more citizens have listened to foreign radio broadcasts recently. Smuggled foreign DVDs have become an important source of external information. North Korea’s measures to counteract this trend are the jamming of Chinese mobile phone networks and limiting access to foreign content.

Takeaway

North Korea exercises significant control over the country’s information and press systems. Independent media is stifled, and the state media remains the primary source of information, as per the nation’s sociopolitical structures. However, the introduction of external information to the North Korean public through illegal methods continues to grow, posing challenges to the regime’s enduring dominance over information dissemination.

Human Rights Violations and Abuses

The repressive authoritarian regime, led by Kim Jong Un, has maintained its control over the population of North Korea. It has done so through threats of execution, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, as well as forced labour in detention and prison camps.

Torture

A major concern is the widespread use of torture. Individuals who are detained may face severe physical and psychological abuse from authorities. Reports document cases where those imprisoned faced regular beatings, humiliating punishments, and even death, all without a fair trial or due process.

Executions

Executions are another disturbing aspect of North Korea’s human rights abuses. Often carried out without proper legal proceedings, these executions have been used to maintain control and instill fear among the population. In addition, forced disappearances are common, where individuals are abducted by the government and never heard from again.

Infanticide

Infanticide, or the intentional killing of infants, is another tragic result of the harsh conditions and control exerted by the North Korean regime. Instances of infanticide have been noted in detention facilities and prison camps, where resources are scarce and the government enforces strict family planning policies.

Forced Labour

The North Korean government also practices forced labour, widespread in detention facilities and prison camps. Prisoners are subjected to grueling physical work and harsh conditions. And it is often without access to proper food, water, or medical care.

Takeaway

The human rights violations and abuses in North Korea are numerous and disturbing. The government’s control over its people includes torture, execution, forced disappearances, and infanticide. This has been a major cause for concern among international human rights organisations for far too long.

Civil Liberties and Citizen Rights

Civil liberties and citizens’ rights are severely restricted by Kim Jong Un’s totalitarian government. It maintains almost absolute control over most aspects of citizens’ lives.

Freedom of expression is heavily curtailed, with government control over the media. And heavy censoring of any dissent or critical voices. Individuals who are found to express disapproval of the regime or who share information from outside sources face harsh punishment. This could include imprisonment and even execution.

The right to assembly is absolutely denied to North Koreans, as the government prohibits any gatherings or associations that are not state-sanctioned. Political opposition or protests are also not allowed. This has led to an environment where any sign of discontent is swiftly and harshly snuffed out.

Trade unions are non-existent, and workers are not granted the right to organise, collectively bargain, or engage in labour strikes. The government-controlled trade unions only serve to promote state policies and maintain control over the workforce.

Freedom of movement is also severely restricted. Citizens must obtain prior approval from the authorities to travel within the country, especially to move between provinces. Traveling abroad without permission is illegal. Those attempting unauthorised border crossings facing severe consequences, including detention, torture, and even death. Authorities have prevented unauthorised travel by increasing border guards, surveillance cameras, and barbed wire fencing.

Basic liberties, such as the right to privacy, property rights, and religious freedom, are consistently infringed upon in North Korea. The government conducts extensive surveillance on its citizens, often intruding into their homes and private lives to ensure compliance with the regime’s policies and to suppress any dissent.

Takeaway

Civil liberties and citizen rights in North Korea remain extremely limited. The government exerts control and repression over multiple aspects of its citizens’ lives, including expression, assembly, worker’s rights, movement, and basic freedoms.

Religious Freedom in North Korea

North Korea’s constitution provides for freedom of religious belief, but with limitations. Religion may not be used as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State or social order. Despite these constitutional provisions, conditions in the country mean religious freedom is an unrealistic ideal.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has highlighted the worsening religious freedom conditions in North Korea. The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) reported 1,411 cases of religious persecution between 2007 and July 2020. These persecutions included 126 killings and 94 disappearances. Such incidents suggest practicing religion in North Korea can be a dangerous act.

The government, under the influence of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, continues to severely restrict religious practices and affiliations. The Senior State Department Official, Daniel Nadel, expressed deep concerns about North Korea’s wide-ranging human rights abuses.

Takeaway

Religious freedom in North Korea exists only on paper and is far from being a reality. The situation worsened as the authorities clamped down on religious practices and perpetrated human rights abuses against those who attempted to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of belief.

International Influences and Relations

North Korea’s human rights record has gained attention from international actors, including China, Russia, the United States, the United Nations, and Japan. These states have different approaches and levels of involvement when addressing human rights for North Korea.

China

China, North Korea’s most important ally and primary trading partner, plays a critical role in the region. The Chinese government has often prioritised maintaining stability in North Korea. And it has been hesitant to apply significant pressure on its ally regarding human rights abuses. China has supported some United Nations resolutions that condemn human rights violations in North Korea. But it has also used its influence in the UN to limit stronger actions, such as sanctions targeting the North Korean leadership.

Russia

Russia, another influential player in the region and a strategic partner of North Korea, has been cautious. Moscow has shown some concern about human rights in North Korea but has not been at the forefront of international efforts to address the issue. Like China, Russia has often focused on maintaining stability and preventing potential security threats.

USA

The United States has taken a more assertive approach towards North Korea’s human rights violations. The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in North Korea. The adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly in December 2021, being an example. The effectiveness of sanctions remains uncertain, as North Korea continues to engage in systematic human rights abuses.

Japan

Japan has expressed concerns about North Korea’s human rights violations. Especially in relation to Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents. Japan has supported international efforts to address the human rights situation and has collaborated with other actors, such as the United States and the United Nations, to put pressure on North Korea.

Takeaway

International actors China, Russia, the United States, the United Nations, and Japan have different approaches and levels of engagement in addressing human rights for North Korea. While resolutions and sanctions have been used, the effectiveness of these efforts in bringing about significant improvements in the human rights situation remains uncertain.

Refugees, Defectors, and Detentions

North Korea is well known for harsh control of its citizens. Severe restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, and other basic human rights have led to a growing number of refugees and defectors seeking asylum in other countries. Moreover, the regime is notorious for rough treatment of detainees, including those subjected to forced and unpaid labour.

Refugees and Defectors

Refugees and defectors typically flee the country to escape persecution, hunger, and lack of necessities. Many North Koreans attempt to cross the border into China, South Korea, or other neighboring countries in search of a better life. However, their journey is fraught with danger, as defectors risk being caught by North Korean and Chinese authorities. According to the United States Department of State, those they force to return to North Korea often endure torture, and in some cases, execution.

Detention

Detention in North Korea is notoriously brutal. Prisoners are likely to be degraded, with many forced to work in appalling conditions without pay. Arbitrary arrests and detentions are common, making it impossible for detainees to receive fair trials or protection from the law. Detention centres across the country subject prisoners to cruel and inhuman treatment. This includes beatings, food deprivation, and lack of medical attention.

Forced and unpaid work is a significant abuse of rights. Citizens and detainees endure long hours of physically demanding work without adequate compensation. According to Human Rights Watch, many individuals, including children and older people, are forced to take part in exploitative work, which serves to bolster the regime’s economic interests.

Takeaway

The plight of refugees, defectors, and detainees in North Korea is of grave concern, with human rights abuses remaining widespread and systematic. It is crucial for the international community to stay vigilant and continue advocating for the rights and protection of those affected by the regime’s harsh policies.

Human Rights Organisations and Advocacy

Human Rights Watch

The prominent organisation Human Rights Watch actively monitors and reports on human rights issues in North Korea. They release annual world reports covering human rights for North Korea. The reports highlight:

• compulsory labour,
• political prison camps, and
• restrictions on freedom of speech.

Their work has contributed to informing the international community about abuses of human rights for North Korea.

International Labour Organisation

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) addresses human rights issues in North Korea, particularly when it comes to labour rights. While North Korea has not ratified many of the ILO’s core conventions, the organisation continues to advocate for improving working conditions and labour standards in the country. By focusing on these issues, the ILO helps to shed light on the exploitation and abuse faced by North Korean workers within the country and abroad.

Association for Human Rights Studies

Another organisation, the Association for Human Rights Studies, is involved in research and advocacy for human rights in North Korea. Their work includes producing reports and hosting conferences to discuss human rights for North Koreas They provide accurate information for the international community, as well as promoting cooperation among human rights organisations.

Advocacy

In addition to these organisations, there are several advocacy groups and NGOs dedicated to improving the human rights situation in North Korea. One such group is Now Action for Unity and Human Rights (NAUH) in Seoul. It works to defend human rights in North Korea and help those who escape. They partnered with Amnesty International, bringing together their resources and expertise to campaign for change and provide support for North Korean refugees.

Human rights organisations and advocacy groups play a crucial role in shedding light on human rights for North Korea. By monitoring, reporting, and advocating for change, they strive to hold the North Korean government accountable and create an environment where the fundamental rights of citizens can be upheld and respected.

Looking Forward: Future Human Rights Prospects

North Korea is one of the harshest countries in the world, where human rights have been an international concern for years. Looking forward, it is essential to explore the potential prospects for improving human rights for North Korea. The focus on a lack of democracy, ignorance of cultural rights, and diminished freedom of conscience, lead the exploration.

The idea of democracy might seem distant in the context of North Korea. But the international community’s consistent pressure and diplomacy could pave the way for change – slowly. Economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation have been shown to influence the country’s actions in nuclear disarmament. Applying similar measures targeting human rights could help progress towards democracy in the long term.

Cultural rights, which encompass the access to and preservation of one’s cultural heritage, have been severely restricted. The totalitarian regime continues to control artistic expression and limit citizens’ exposure to foreign culture. However, the increase in smuggling foreign media and the growing curiosity among citizens about the world outside of North Korea highlights the potential for cultural exchange and the eventual growth of cultural rights within the country. As external cultural influences seep into North Korean society, there may be opportunities to expand cultural rights and enhance the diversity of cultural expression.

Authorities curtail freedom of conscience, including religious beliefs and the ability to express personal thoughts and opinions. The regime systematically suppresses information and controls all aspects of citizens’ lives, including policing people’s thoughts. Despite the current state, international organisations advocate human rights for North Korea. Their efforts, combined with a potential shift in North Korea’s political landscape, could lead to an environment where citizens can exercise their fundamental rights to hold and express different beliefs.

Takeaway

The prospects for improving human rights for North Korea may seem challenging. Nonetheless, persistent diplomatic efforts, international pressure, and the pursuit of cultural exchange offer hope. Hope for a future where democracy, cultural rights, and freedom of conscience could become a reality for the people of North Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rights do North Korean citizens lack?

North Korean citizens lack many fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and movement. They are subjected to forced labour, political discrimination, and restricted access to information. In addition, North Koreans face severe punishment for attempts to leave the country without permission, as well as for engaging in unauthorised religious practices.

How does North Korea restrict its citizens?

The North Korean government restricts citizens’ rights using various methods, such as controlling information flow, conducting surveillance, and employing a strict penal system. The government enforces a ban on movement, making it illegal to travel from one province to another or abroad without prior approval. Unauthorised phone or internet access is punishable by imprisonment or even death. North Korea also maintains a network of political prison camps, where detainees face torture, forced labour, and other inhumane conditions.

Why is the government strict in North Korea?

The strictness of the North Korean government stems from its totalitarian regime and desire to maintain control over its citizens. The regime aims to suppress dissent and keep a firm grip on power, leading to policies that severely limit individual freedoms and human rights. This enables the government to maintain a single-party rule and hereditary dictatorship, where power transitions from one family member to another.

What are the main human rights issues in North Korea?

Key human rights issues in North Korea include arbitrary detention, torture, forced labour, lack of freedom of expression, assembly, and movement, and severe restrictions on religious practices. The country’s prison and detention centre conditions are of particular concern, with reports of inhumane treatment, overcrowding, and insufficient access to food and medical care. Moreover, North Koreans face discrimination based on their perceived political loyalty to the regime.

Can citizens expect change for human rights in the future?

While it is difficult to predict the future of human rights in North Korea, the situation remains bleak, given the consistently oppressive nature of the regime. Change may be slow and contingent on numerous factors, such as internal political shifts, external pressure, or even grassroots activism. However, the continued attention and actions of the international community, along with the efforts of human rights organisations, play a crucial role in advocating for change in North Korea.

What is the role of the Commission on human rights in North Korea?

The Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights for North Korea was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The COI aims to investigate and document human rights violations in the country, raise global awareness of these abuses, and hold the North Korean government accountable for its actions. The commission’s work has led to increased international attention and pressure on North Korea to improve its human rights record.

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