A 10 Point Promise to the North Korean People

A 10 Point Promise to the North Korean People

 September 4, 2024

North Korea’s well documented record of human rights abuses is probably the worst in modern history. The United Nations Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea^[1] is arguably the gold standard among the many reports that have extensively documented the Kim Regime’s systematic abuse of its own people. There is general consensus among the North Korea-focused “Community of Interest” on the need to push more information to the people in North Korea. As part of this effort the Republic of Korea (ROK)—United States (US) Alliance should take a more aggressive stance by bypassing the Kim regime and engaging in a direct, public conversation with the people in North Korea. The first step would be to publish an official version of this paper’s 10 point promise to the North Korean people as the means to demonstrate the sincerity of the outside world and counter what has been the foundation for decades of indoctrination by the Kim regime: The Ten Principles of Monolithic Ideology(TPMI).

 

The TPMI are, as Robert Collins has written in his book, Pyongyang Republic^[2],:

 “the primary creed of the Kim regime. In practice, the Ten Principles have a greater impact on the daily lives of every North Korean than the KWP Charter, the constitution, or civil law. North Korea’s own political dictionary describes the principles as ‘the ideological system by which the whole Party and people is firmly armed with the revolutionary ideology of the Suryeong [Suryong] and united solidly around him, carrying out the revolutionary battle and construction battle under the sole leadership of the Suryeong,’…All North Koreans are required to memorize and strictly comply with the Ten Principles. Failure to do so is seen as treason, and results in severe punishment, incarceration, or banishment to political prison camps.” 

 

The people of North Korea need an alternative to this ideological indoctrination.  This 10-point promise is designed to give them a framework for better understanding the contrast between what the outside world offers and the way the Kim regime forces them to live. In doing so, these promises undermine the core narrative of the Kim regime and replace the TPMI with a credible lens through which they can process what they see and hear from the outside in a way that provides hope for a better future without Kim. These promises should be used as the core for all outside information efforts. The leaders of the ROK, the US, and prominent figures in the international community who focus on North Korean human rights should publicly embrace this promise and do what they can to put in place policies and practices to make them real.

 

The 10 Point Promise

The increasingly irresponsible and dangerous behavior of Kim Jong Un is of great concern to the Republic of Korea (ROK), the United States (US) and the other free countries of the world. His aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles is a grave threat to the entire world. Contrary to what you are told, the ROK-US Alliance has no intention of invading North Korea. We could easily have destroyed your country many times but have chosen not to because we do not hate you.  For proof of this simply compare the wealth and technology you have witnessed in foreign videos to how the Kim regime forces you to live. Who do you think has the real power? If we had truly wanted to destroy North Korea we surely would have already done so. Instead, we seek peace.

 

Freedom has allowed the ROK to develop a strong economy with a high standard of living while the Kim family, in glorifying itself, has repressed you and maintained a hostile attitude to the outside world to justify this repression. As a result of these hostile policies and the behavior of Kim Jong Un, North Korea is a pariah state, looked upon with worry and contempt.

 

Why do you need nuclear weapons? Can you or your children eat them? Do they keep you warm or treat your illnesses? These are basic human rights that governments the world over are supposed to provide for their people. Why not you? Instead, Kim tells you he needs these weapons to protect the system that represses you—ask yourself if it is worth protecting?

 

Until now, North Korea has been a relatively minor threat confined to the Korea Peninsula because it could not do real harm to the world. The nuclear weapons Kim tells you he needs change the game. The ROK—US alliance is extremely concerned by Kim Jong Un’s irresponsible and dangerous threats to use nuclear weapons. We DO NOT seek war but are concerned that his foolish actions and threats will start one. IF this happens, we know that Kim’s weapons could do great damage and kill millions of our people. To prevent this, we will be forced to use our full might to remove the threat to the world. This means you and your families will probably die.

 

To avoid this we ask you, the North Korean people, party officials and military commanders to consider the fate of your families and if Kim is so foolish as to start a war with the world, do not follow him. In choosing to abandon Kim, YOU, the people in North Korea—common folk and elites at all levels—will gain a brighter future in a peaceful North Korea free from Kim Jong Un. We are NOT calling for you to get rid of him now. We would prefer that he simply focus on improving how you live and stop threatening us but if he is foolish enough to start a war, that will be when you will have to decide to act to secure the safety and future of your families and not follow him into death. If war happens, do not engage in acts of violence or obey his orders—instead, look after your families and survive.

 

As a sign of commitment to peace we make this 10-point pledge to the rights of the North Korean people. If a war happens avoid violence, survive and we guarantee you a better future.

 

1.     You and your families will not be killed, abused or taken advantage of. Despite what you have been told, we do not seek to subjugate, abuse, harm or kill you or your children. We will seek to establish a safe and peaceful environment for you to live and prosper. If our soldiers commit crimes against you, they will be punished. Your personal property rights will be respected. We will establish the rule of law in accordance with accepted international legal norms and you will have legal rights that will be respected.

 

2.     Freedom from malnutrition. In the event of war, ROK-US alliance, with the support of the International Community, is prepared to provide immediate assistance—to the extent that this is desired and useful. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will bring in rice, meat, vegetables and other nutrition to include baby food—a diet normally available to infants and young children all over the world.  If areas of North Korea are damaged in fighting, we will bring food and support to your homes.

 

3.     Modern health care. As soon as conditions permit, Alliance forces will bring in equipment, medicine, and trained medical personnel to assist North Korean doctors in treating diseases and improving the health of the North Korean people.  You will not have to bribe or otherwise pay for this treatment.

 

4.     Shelter. You are guaranteed a warm, dry place to live with modern necessities like power and running water. Although this will not be instantaneous or easy, once a safe and peaceful environment can be established, the ROK-US Alliance, with the help of the international community, will repair existing housing, electric power and water systems—and build new modern ones where required to meet the needs of the North Korean people.

 

5.     Freedom from the control of the Korean Workers Party (KWP) and ideological suppression. The Korean Workers Party will be abolished and replaced by a government that serves you, with leaders you will choose and who respect your basic rights. Systems of political control will be abolished. The ten principles of monolithic ideology will be discarded, and mandatory political indoctrination will cease. This means political crimes will be abolished, political prisoners will be released, and mandatory weekly self-criticism sessions will end. The political power of the Inminban will be removed and people will no longer be required to report on each other.

 

6.     Opportunity, education, and freedom to seek employment you want. The government will no longer dictate which jobs you may do. Although it will take time to rebuild—such is that damage that Kim Jong Un has done to North Korea’s economy—the ROK-US Alliance, supported by investment from the outside world will develop the economy. This will provide rewarding jobs and opportunity for you and your children. 

 

a.     Jobs & salary guarantee: As peace and stability are established, we want you to remain in place and be industrious in helping rebuild a reunited Korea. With minor exceptions, you will be asked to continue to do the job you currently have but will start being paid a real salary in your current job to enable to you buy food, clothes and other items.

b.     Education guarantee: North Korea’s well-established school system will continue to educate your children, but political indoctrination will stop, and classes will focus on real learning—such as science, math, language, art, and music in order to prepare your children with the skills and knowledge to be successful in the modern world.

 

7.     Freedom to travel: As peace and stability are established, you will be allowed to travel freely without government interference throughout the Korean Peninsula and to foreign countries.

 

8.     The rule of law and an end to corruption. As peace and stability are established, the rule of reasonable law—centered on the principle of freedom and fairness which is the norm across the democratic world—will be instituted. Your property rights will be established, your property will be respected and won’t be seized arbitrarily. You will no longer be required to pay bribes to police, government officials and others.

 

9.     Transitional justice: For the past 76 years, the Kim family has abused and mistreated you. To do so, it has put in place a horrible system of policing and repression. Most of you have suffered under it even as some of your fellow Koreans were forced to participate in and enforce this system. However, some have even profited from this system. A transparent, publicly accessible system of transitional justice will be put in place to facilitate accountability, forgiveness and redemption of former KWP officials complicit in the crimes against the Korean people perpetrated by the Kim regime.

 

10.  Full citizenship in a unified and free Korean Peninsula. The North Korean people will take their place in a free, democratic and economically vibrant unified Korea supported by free, equal, and secret elections as well as constitutional conditions that ensure freedom and the protection of basic human rights. The “Songbun” system will be immediately eliminated, and you will no longer live under the restrictions it imposes.

 

Kim Jong Un and the terrible, unjust system he has put in place is the cause of your current suffering. You live in conditions that are among the worst in the world while just a few kilometers to the south 55 million of your fellow Koreans live in freedoom and prosperity. His arrogance, greed and selfishness are the reasons you suffer in cold misery.  It is because of his hostility and irresponsible pursuit of nuclear weapons that we believe he has become a true threat to world peace. We fear his misguided policies will lead to war and destruction which we seek to avoid for both of our peoples.  We recognize that no one wins in a war with nuclear weapons where millions will die and so we make you this offer.

 

If Kim’s foolish behavior leads you to war, find ways to avoid fighting Alliance forces. Our technology and firepower are overwhelming. If this happens you will have to choose under conditions of great uncertainty to trust that people you have never met are not as bad as the man you know Kim Jong Un to be. Do not follow his orders to employ weapons of mass destruction. Do not kill civilians or prisoners. Instead, help end the evil rule of the Kim family, do what you can to lessen the violence and destruction and help your fellow North Koreans to survive. Military soldiers and the officers that control them will be rewarded for weapons, ammunition and missiles and other dangerous items that are turned over unused. Government officials and civil employees find ways to do your part to end violence and continue to provide services to your people.

 

As time goes forward, we ask you to weigh what you can see and hear of the outside world with the reality of the world Kim Jong Un forces on you. No one knows today what a reunified Korea will ultimately look like, but the destiny of the Korean Peninsula is to be fully part of the international community with respect for human rights and the right of national self-determination. We are aware that the path to Korean unity poses many difficult questions to which no one today can give definitive answers. This especially includes the difficult and decisive question of the overarching security structures in Asia. What happens after Kim Jong Un is gone is a future we need to build together.

 

In making this 10-point promise, we guarantee you and you families a fruitful place in a reunified Korean Peninsula. Our intent and purpose in making these commitments to you is to avoid a conflict which is likely to destroy the Korean people and damage the rest of the world in the process. We can peacefully overcome the division of the Korean people, but this means prudence, reason, and good judgment on everyone's part.

 

Commander Fredrick “Skip” Vincenzo, USN (ret.), is a nonresident senior fellow with both the Center for Naval Analyses and the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security—as well as a non-resident fellow with the Irregular Warfare Initiative. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. With a career spanning 28 years—more than two thirds of that spent deployed on operations or permanently assigned overseas—he has extensive experience in Special Operations, Korean security, information operations, counter terror, NATO, and countering hybrid threats. His groundbreaking work on information-based sub-national deterrence is emerging as one of the most promising options for dealing with aggression coercion of authoritarians like Russia, China, and North Korea. His professional writing has appeared in numerous online security publications, and his largest collaborative piece, “An Information Based Strategy to Reduce North Korea’s Increasing Threat^[3],” was cited by both the Wall Street Journal and Foreign Affairs Magazine as one of the few underexplored options for dealing with an increasingly dangerous North Korea.

 

^[1] “Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea | OHCHR.” United  Nations Human Rights Council. Accessed September 4, 2024. https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/co-idprk/reportofthe-commissionof-inquiry-dprk.

^[2] Robert Collins, “Pyongyang Republic,” HRNK, accessed September 4, 2024, https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Collins_PyongyangRepublic_FINAL_WEB.pdf.

^[3] Fredrick Skip Vincenzo, An information based strategy to reduce North Korea’s increasing ..., October 2016, https://georgetownsecuritystudiesreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/An-Information-Based-Strategy-to-Reduce-North-Koreas-Increasing-Threat.pdf.

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HRNK's Submission to the Commission on the Status of Women

Submission to the Commission on the Status of Women (UN Women) containing information relating to violations of human rights affecting the status of women in the

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

 

August 1, 2024

 

Full credit for this submission goes to HRNK team members Diletta de Luca, Rick Herssevoort, Damian Reddy, Begüm Tiritoglu, SoEun Park, and Suha Choi. HRNK is grateful for their terrific contributions to our work and mission.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains one of the worst human rights offenders in the world. Ten years ago, in February 2014, the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) found that the DPRK was responsible for ongoing crimes against humanity. The gravity, scale, and nature of the DPRK’s violations of human rights reveal a state that has no parallel in the contemporary world. The DPRK’s systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations are thoroughly documented, including its imposition of arbitrary detention, arbitrary death penalties, political prison camps, slave labor, violence and discrimination against women, the absolute monopoly of information, and total control of all organized social life under the hierarchical system of songbun. Under Kim Jong-un’s rule, the scale and scope of these violations have worsened and intensified. HRNK’s research activities provide evidence of the intensification of a crackdown on human rights in the DPRK. Moreover, the situation in the DPRK remains dire and has been exacerbated within the past four years by excessive restrictions imposed under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her report of March 9, 2023 (A/HRC/52/65), the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, Elizabeth Salmón, reiterated longstanding concerns of the international community, with particular attention to the chronic abuses and discriminatory conditions that are imposed upon women and girls.

 

Additionally, the international community has been increasingly recognizing the nexus between the DPRK’s nuclear weapons development and its widespread human rights abuses.^[1] This growing attention stems from the recognition that the regime’s systematic repression and control over its population are essential mechanisms that enable the continued prioritization of nuclear weapons development over the welfare of its citizens. This connection was underscored in January 2013 by the then High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who expressed concerns that the focus on nuclear and missile advancements was overshadowing severe human rights violations in the country.^[2] The UN COI further highlighted the prioritization of the DPRK on military spending over humanitarian needs, exacerbating the human rights crisis.^[3] Additionally, by abusing the human rights of its citizens, the DPRK is able to extract resources to fund its nuclear development program. One example includes the dispatch of North Korean workers abroad, a systematic practice tightly controlled by the DPRK which sends its citizens to work in various countries under conditions that violate international labor laws and human rights standards.^[4] Through their exploitation, the DPRK manages to obtain fundamental resources to fund its nuclear weapons program. Consequently, addressing human rights abuses inside the country remains crucial for any effective strategy aimed at halting the nuclear weapons program of the DPRK. Sustainable denuclearization efforts must therefore include a focus on improving human rights within the country, as one is intrinsically tied to the perpetuation of the other. This submission focuses on the impacts of the DPRK’s nuclear program on the human rights and human security of North Korean women.

 

Gender-based violence in North Korea is influenced by the broader socio-political and economic landscape of the DPRK regime; the allocation of already scarce resources to the nuclear program, coupled with international sanctions, exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and heightens women’s vulnerability to gender-based violence. This diversion of resources leads to scarcity of essential goods and services, placing women, who are often responsible for securing food and resources for their families, in precarious situations such as exploitative labor or transactional sex.

 

Nuclear testing leads to severe environmental degradation affecting agricultural production where women are often primary workers, thereby impacting food security.

 

The nuclear development program generates significant negative externalities and health risks for the North Korean population. While it remains challenging to determine the exact impact of nuclear weapons development inside the country, some sources have been documenting and estimating their effect by analyzing different sources. It has been determined that hundreds of thousands of people residing near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site face risks from the leakage and spread of radioactive materials through water.^[5] According to a human rights advocacy group based in Seoul, the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG),^[6] the “radioactive materials could have spread in a radius of 25 miles around the site, where more than 1 million people live and rely on groundwater for many of their daily activities”.^[7] This indicates that the sphere of influence may have even extended not just to North Korean residents, but to people in neighboring countries such as the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan. Moreover, Lee Shin-wha, ROK Ambassador-at-large for North Korean human rights, recognized the potential for radioactive leakage that has been affecting North Korean residents, noting that over 1,000 defectors had lived near nuclear test sites.^[8] Additionally, information published by the ROK Ministry of Unification in 2017 revealed abnormalities in “9 out of 40 North Korean escapees from the areas near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site (22.5 percent) in 2017 and 2018”.

 

Additionally, a recent HRNK-published report – Slaves to the Bomb: the Role and Fate of North Korea’s Nuclear Scientists – provides information on the neglect of nuclear safety and the radiation exposure and sickness among North Korean nuclear scientists, with a significant impact on women.^[9] Radiation exposure at various nuclear sites in the DPRK has not only had significant general health impacts on the wide population but also disproportionately threatens the human security and human rights of North Korean women. Women working at the Yongbyon Nuclear Complex have faced severe reproductive health issues, as escapees have testified that they have been unable to conceive children. This points to severe reproductive health consequences due to radiation exposure, which fundamentally violates their rights to health, reproductive rights, and the right to life. Furthermore, the impact on women’s health is not limited to those directly working in such hazardous environments. Locals in Bungang, near Yongbyon, remain aware of radiation risks, including birth defects, and cases of bribery for the relocation of children in safer areas are common. This highlights the intergenerational health impacts on women who have been exposed to radiation indirectly through environmental contamination.

 

The severe health issues faced by women in these regions additionally extend beyond reproductive health. Chronic illnesses, cancers, and radiation-induced mental health problems further diminish their quality of life. At the Pyongsan Uranium Mine, the lack of adequate protection against radiation exposure has led to severe health consequences, including lung cancer among miners, which indirectly affects women who live in these communities and care for sick family members.^[10] This scenario underscores the broader societal and familial burdens placed on women, exacerbating their vulnerabilities and limiting their opportunities for economic and social participation.

 

In Kilju County, near the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, women have been found to have significant levels of radiation exposure, leading to health issues such as hair loss, severe headaches, and joint pain. These health problems hinder their ability to perform daily activities, work, and care for their families, thus infringing upon their basic human rights and freedoms. Moreover, the DPRK’s attempts to restrict the movement of Kilju residents to Pyongyang after the nuclear tests suggest a deliberate effort to hide the health impacts, leaving these women without adequate medical care or the ability to seek justice and compensation for their suffering.^[11]

 

The broader implications of radiation exposure for North Korean women include compromised health, reduced life expectancy, and significant psychological stress. The lack of transparency and accountability from the DPRK prevents these women from seeking justice and support, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and abuse. Their fundamental rights to health, security, and a safe environment are continuously violated, underscoring the need for urgent international attention and intervention. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for improving the health and well-being of North Korean women but also for ensuring that their rights are recognized and protected in the face of ongoing human rights abuses and their interrelation to the country’s nuclear program.

 

To enhance the status of women in the DPRK, especially regarding the severe impact of radiation exposure from nuclear activities, the international community should undertake a multi-faceted approach. Increasing diplomatic pressure on the DPRK remains essential, alongside advocating for human rights through global platforms such as the CSW and the HRC. Additionally, the strategic use of economic sanctions targeting specific entities within the DPRK that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and expose women to hazardous conditions can help dismantle the structures that enable the perpetration of these human rights abuses.

 

Ten years after the UN COI and following a post-COVID reset involving the dramatic worsening of the human rights situation in North Korea, the need for an updated investigation appears evident. Moreover, in the aftermath of a March 28, 2024 Russian Federation veto of a UN  Security Council resolution to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts (PoE) tasked to monitor compliance with the UNSC sanctions regime on North Korea, it is significantly more difficult for UN Member States to receive updates on North Korea’s nuclear weapons development and its linkages to human rights and humanitarian issues, including the human rights and human security of North Korean women.

 

HRNK recommends that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) should consider commissioning an impartial and independent expert team on the DPRK to highlight both security and human rights issues, including linkages between the nuclear program and the human rights and human security of North Koreans, paying special attention to the health and human rights of women. The proposed expert team would report annually to UN Member States and assist the UN General Assembly and UNSC in executing their mandates. The expert team’s work would complement, without duplicating or overlapping, the work of the OHCHR’s North Korea mandate, which does not extend to covering linkages between human rights violations and the nuclear program.

 

HRNK is the leading non-partisan, non-governmental organization in the field of North Korean human rights research and advocacy, based in Washington, D.C. Since our inception in 2001, we have sought to raise international awareness of the human rights situation in the DPRK through the publication of well-documented reports and outreach activities in support of the recommendations made in those publications. We have published sixty-six reports so far, investigating the DPRK’s vast system of unlawful imprisonment, the Kim regime’s policy of human rights denial, and vulnerable groups, especially women, children, and people in detention. HRNK received UN ECOSOC consultative status in April 2018. Ever since, we have been proactively representing civil society at the UN. By participating in the Universal Periodic Review and organizing online and in-person international conferences, seminars and meetings with Permanent Missions, UN agencies, and other offices in Geneva, New York City, Brussels, and Seoul, HRNK continues to disseminate the findings and recommendations put forth in our reports.

 

Thank you very much for the invitation to submit an advisory opinion. Should you be interested in a virtual meeting to further discuss the information provided, please feel free to contact me directly at executive.director@hrnk.org. I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to continue this conversation and share more details about our work and mission.

 

Thank you very much for your time and kind consideration.

 

^[1] For instance, the UN Security Council meeting 15726 discussing the human rights situation in the DPRK.

^[2] United Nations, 2013, “Top UN official calls for international inquiry into human rights abuses in DPR Korea,” https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/01/429762.

^[3] United Nations General Assembly, 2014, Report of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, A/HRC/25/63, para 51.

^[4] Greg Scarlatoiu, 2022, “North Korean Workers Officially Dispatched to China & Russia,” Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Overseas_Workers_0926.pdf.

^[5] Kim Arin, 2023, “Potential radiation exposure to North Koreans near nuclear test site overlooked: report,” The Korea Herald, https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230221000740. 

^[6] Transitional Justice Working Group, 2023, “Mapping the Risk and Effect of Radioactive Contamination of Groundwater Sources From the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site in North Korea,” https://en.tjwg.org/mapping-project-north-korea/.

^[7] Thomas Meresca, 2023, February 21, “Report: North Korean nuclear tests pose radiation risk to region,” UPI, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/02/21/North-Korea-radiation-nuclear-test-Punggye-ri-TJWG/9491676975342/.

^[8] Yuchan Kim, 2023, November 7, “Opinion – North Korea’s Nuclear Tests and Potential Human Rights Violations,” E-International Relations,  https://www.e-ir.info/2023/11/04/opinion-north-koreas-nuclear-tests-and-potential-human-rights-violations/.

^[9] Robert Collins, 2024, “Slaves to the Bomb: the Role and Fate of North Korea’s Nuclear Scientists,” Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/STTB_web.pdf.

^[10] Robert Collins, 2024, “Slaves to the Bomb: the Role and Fate of North Korea’s Nuclear Scientists.”

^[11] Robert Collins, 2024, “Slaves to the Bomb: the Role and Fate of North Korea’s Nuclear Scientists.”

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HRNK Advisory Opinion to His Excellency Tomoya Obokata

Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, regarding contemporary forms of slavery affecting currently and formerly incarcerated people

April 12, 2024

Over ten years ago, in February 2014, the UN Commission of Inquiry (UN COI) reported that the DPRK was responsible for crimes against humanity. The gravity, scale, and nature of the DPRK’s violations of human rights reveal a state that has no parallel in the contemporary world. The DPRK’s systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations are thoroughly documented, including its imposition of arbitrary detention, arbitrary death penalties, political prison camps, slave labor, the absolute monopoly of information released to the public, and total control of all organized social life under the hierarchical system of songbun. Under Kim Jong-un’s rule, the scale and scope of these violations have continued to worsen and intensify.

Contemporary forms of slavery in North Korean detention facilities represent a grave and systematic violation of human rights. In these facilities, detainees, including political prisoners, are subjected to forced labor.

 

Please provide the details of labor programme(s) implemented in your country for incarcerated individuals, including:

Types of work performed.

Detainees work in mining, under dangerous conditions. Detainees are forced to work in agriculture involving strenuous labor, regardless of the detainee's physical condition or age. Detainees work in logging, typically in harsh weather conditions without adequate clothing or safety equipment. Detainees work in textile production, producing goods that may enter international markets despite sanctions.^[i]

Detention facilities often assign harsh conditions to detainees without considering their age, gender, or health condition, leading to injuries, illnesses, and deaths.^[ii] Political detainees may be subjected to even harsher treatment. Hundreds of thousands of individuals are held in a network of camps. Many of them are subjected to forced labor.^[iii]

Further evidence on forced labor from escapee testimonies can be found in the HRNK and No Chain report “An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families”.^[iv]

c) Working environment/conditions, including wages and any deduction for incarceration costs, working hours, and provisions for health & safety.

The working environment in North Korean detention facilities is harsh and dangerous, lacking basic health and safety measures.^[v]

Detainees are often unpaid for their labor, with nominal wages often deducted to cover incarceration costs.^[vi] Detainees work for 10-12 hours per day, seven days a week, with minimal rest.^[vii] This, combined with insufficient nutrition and rest, negatively impacts their physical and mental health.^[viii] Health and safety provisions are non-existent, and injuries or illnesses often go untreated, leading to numerous deaths.^[ix]

Is there evidence of labour practices which may amount to exploitation? If so, please provide details.

Some of the abuses include excessive working hours. Another type of abuse includes no or extremely low pay. In addition, detainees work in an unhealthy or dangerous working environment. Conditions in North Korean detention facilities are unsanitary and hazardous. Detainees work in dangerous environments, leading to injuries and health complications. Furthermore, they face discriminatory treatments where certain groups of individuals, such as political prisoners and all those deemed to be disloyal to the regime, are subjected to even harsher treatment and forced labor practices. Finally, there is a lack of access to medical facilities.^[x]

Is there evidence of sexual exploitation among incarcerated individuals? If so, please provide details.

Many camp orders are conducted in secret.^[xi] Despite stringent information control, escapee testimonies, reports by human rights organizations, and investigations conducted by international bodies have provided insight into the grim reality faced by inmates, which involves modern forms of slavery, including sexual exploitation (sometimes referred to as sexual slavery).^[xii]

Sexual exploitation and abuse in North Korean detention facilities, particularly targeting female prisoners, is widespread. Escapees report rape, forced abortion, and sexual assault, often used as torture and control methods.^[xiii] Male guards and officials abuse their power, targeting political prisoners, women suspected of having illegally crossed the border, and those detained for petty crimes.^[xiv]

Are victims of labor and sexual exploitation able to seek justice and remedies? Please provide details, including legislative frameworks and complaint mechanisms.

On paper, DPRK laws prohibit forced labor. The DPRK Constitution includes articles on the dignity and rights of citizens, and the country is a signatory to several international human rights treaties. However, in practice, the government does not uphold these laws, especially within detention facilities. The legal system is opaque and subordinated to the dictates of the ruling Korean Workers' Party.

There is virtually no avenue for victims to seek justice or remedies within the DPRK. The judicial system lacks independence, and there is no mechanism for detainees to file complaints or challenge abuses.^[xv]

Victims of labor and sexual exploitation in North Korean detention facilities are caught in a grim situation with no available mechanisms for seeking justice or remedies. The international community continues to struggle with effective strategies to address these human rights abuses, given the geopolitical complexities and the DPRK's self-imposed isolation.

What are the main challenges in eliminating labour and sexual exploitation among incarcerated individuals, and what recommendations would you make to address them effectively?

Despite the veil of secrecy surrounding the country's penal system, escapee testimonies and satellite imagery have provided the international community with glimpses into the dire conditions faced by incarcerated individuals. The DPRK executes a deliberate policy of human rights denial.

The international community should increase pressure through targeted sanctions and hold the government accountable. Supporting North Korean escapees and running advocacy campaigns can help mitigate abusive government control and encourage reform. Educating North Koreans about their rights and the outside world can also help create and enhance awareness of international human rights standards.

Does your government provide tailored support to formerly incarcerated individuals which effectively meets their needs? Please provide details particularly in relation to access to temporary/long term accommodation, education/training, decent work, finance and pension, and other essential services.

The United States provides assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers including North Koreans, to rebuild their lives.^[xvi] However, the effectiveness of this support can vary based on resources, individual circumstances, and local community capacity. Challenges including cultural adjustment and language barriers can also impact resettlement experiences.

What is the role of other stakeholders, including educational institutions, jobs/training centres, housing providers, businesses/employers’ organisations, financial institutions, trade unions and civil society organisations, in providing support to formally incarcerated individuals? Does your government actively coordinate or cooperate with them?

Individuals who escape from the DPRK, including former detainees, face challenges ranging from psychological trauma to the need for basic necessities and integration into a new society.

Educational institutions, job centers, housing providers, businesses, financial institutions, trade unions, and CSOs are all crucial. Educational programs, language training, vocational training, housing solutions, inclusive workplace environments, financial literacy programs, and legal assistance are essential in ensuring the rights and fair treatment of North Korean escapees.

CSOs including HRNK^[xvii] and various other stakeholders often provide direct support and advocacy work to help individuals and raise awareness about human rights abuses in the DPRK.

What are ongoing challenges in promoting successful economic and social reintegration to formally incarcerated individuals in your country, which may include discrimination (including intersecting forms based on age, gender identity/sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, indigenous, migration, socio-economic and other status), corruption, lack of opportunities and support?

After escaping from the country, former North Korean detainees face challenges including lack of opportunity and inadequate support systems as well as age and socio-economic status discrimination.

What recommendations would you make to overcome the existing obstacles and prevent formally incarcerated individuals from being subjected to labour and sexual exploitation?

The situation of detainees in North Korean detention facilities remains deeply concerning, drawing attention from international human rights organizations and governments worldwide. The available reports indicate severe conditions, including forced labor, torture, inadequate food, and medical neglect, leading to high mortality rates.^[xviii]

To address these issues and protect both current and former detainees from exploitation, we respectfully put forth the following recommendations:

1. International Pressure and Sanctions: Continue and intensify international pressure on the North Korean government to adhere to international human rights standards, using targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses.
2. Engagement and Dialogue: Encourage diplomatic dialogue that includes human rights as a core component, alongside denuclearization and security concerns. Leverage diplomatic channels to press for the closure of camps and the release of political prisoners.
3. Support for Escapees: Enhance support for North Korean escapees who can provide firsthand accounts of the conditions within detention facilities. Support should include protection, rehabilitation services, and platforms to share their experiences on the global stage.
4. Use of Technology: Increase the use of satellite imagery analysis and other means to monitor detention centers and gather evidence of human rights abuses.
5. Humanitarian Aid: Ensure that humanitarian aid, when possible, is conditioned on improvements in human rights, prioritizes vulnerable groups including people in detention, and is not diverted by the regime. Aid should be designed to minimize the risk of bolstering the capacities of the regime to continue its repressive practices. Access and transparency are of the essence.
6. Awareness and Advocacy: Support international and regional human rights organizations in their efforts to raise awareness about the conditions in North Korean detention facilities. Promote campaigns that advocate for the rights of current and former detainees.
7. Legal Mechanisms: Explore legal avenues to hold North Korean leaders accountable for crimes against humanity, including labor and sexual exploitation, through international courts, tribunals, or other accountability mechanisms.

The challenges in addressing the human rights abuses in North Korean detention facilities are significant, particularly given the closed and authoritarian nature of the regime. However, sustained international focus, combined with a strategic mix of pressure and engagement, can create conditions for change and provide some level of protection for those who have suffered in these facilities.

Thank you very much for your kind consideration.

 

^[i] Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Greg Scarlatoiu and Raymond Ha, “North Korea’s Political Prison Camp, Kwan-li-so No. 25, Update 4” and European Parliament, Parliamentary Question, “Forced Labor in North Korea,” April 2, Parliamentary question | Forced labour in North Korea | E-004134/2014 | European Parliament (europa.eu).

^[ii] The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) & the International Bar Association (IBA), “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers,” March 2022, https://www.hrnk.org/uploads/pdfs/Report%20Findings%20Inquiry%20on%20Crimes%20Against%20Humanity.pd.f and European Parliament, Parliamentary Question, “Forced Labor in North Korea”.

^[iii] Amnesty International, “Images Reveal the Scale of North Korea Political Prison Camps,” May 2011, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2011/05/images-reveal-scale-north-korean-political-prison-camps/.

^[iv] The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and No Chain, “An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families,” 2018, https://www.hrnk.org/publications/hrnk-publications.php?page=3.

^[v] U.S. Department of State, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: North Korea”.

^[vi] HRNK & IBA, “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers.”

^[vii] Ibid.

^[viii]  HRNK & IBA, “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers.”

^[ix] Human Rights Watch, “World Report 2024: North Korea, https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/north-korea.

^[x] HRNK & IBA, “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers.”

^[xi] The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and No Chain, “An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families”.

^[xii] HRNK & IBA, “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers.”f and Anti-Slavery International, “Forced Labor in North Korean Prison Camps,” December 2007, https://www.antislavery.org/reports/forced-labour-in-north-korean-prison-camps/.

^[xiii] The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and No Chain, “An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families”.

^[xiv] HRNK & IBA, “Report: Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in North Korean Detention Centers.”

^[xv] Ibid.

^[xvi] The Bush Institute, “U.S.-Based North Korean Refugees,” https://gwbcenter.imgix.net/Resources/gwb_north_korea_executive_summary_r4.pdf.

^[xvii] See HRNK’s policy recommendations to the U.S. government: https://www.hrnk.org/publications/policy-recommendations.php.

^[xviii] The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and No Chain, “An Investigation into the Human Rights Situation in North Korea’s Political Prison Camps: Testimonies of Detainee Families”.

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Categories: North Korea, United Nations