North Korea: Executions Surge During Pandemic, Mostly Due to Foreign Culture Ban Violations, Says NGO
A Seoul-based non-governmental organization reported that the number of executions in North Korea significantly increased after the border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to violations of foreign culture and religious prohibitions. The report, based on interviews with 880 North Korean defectors and satellite imagery, documented 60 executions involving 148 people between 2020 and 2024, a notable increase from 41 cases in the preceding five years.
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SEOUL (CNA) – A Seoul-based non-governmental organization stated yesterday that after North Korea closed its borders during the COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) pandemic, the number of executions significantly increased, primarily due to violations of foreign culture and religious prohibitions.
According to a Reuters report, the "Transitional Justice Working Group" released a report showing 60 execution cases in North Korea from 2020 to 2024, with a total of 148 people executed. This marks a clear increase compared to 41 cases in the preceding five years.
The investigation is based on interviews with 880 North Korean defectors living in South Korea and the use of satellite imagery to identify execution sites. However, the group also cautioned that these figures should not be considered definitive.
The report points out that cases violating foreign culture and religious restrictions, including watching South Korean films and TV dramas, were the cause of most execution cases. Before the pandemic border closure, murder was the most common reason for execution.
Hubert Lee, Executive Director of the Transitional Justice Working Group, stated that executions related to cultural violations occurred not only in border areas adjacent to China but also in inland regions, indicating that South Korean media content has spread throughout North Korea.
The report shows that as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intensified his crackdown on dissent during the pandemic lockdown, execution cases involving political crimes also increased from 4 to 28 during the same period.
Lee Yong-hwan said that with Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, expected to succeed him, executions may increase.
"As the time for Kim Ju-ae's succession approaches, executions may surge to eliminate her father's confidants and install her own people."
North Korea's embassies in Singapore and London, as well as Pyongyang's permanent mission to the United Nations, have not yet responded to the content of this report. (Translator: Kao Chao-fen / Editor: Hsu Chung-che) 1150428
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According to a Reuters report, the "Transitional Justice Working Group" released a report showing 60 execution cases in North Korea from 2020 to 2024, with a total of 148 people executed. This marks a clear increase compared to 41 cases in the preceding five years.
The investigation is based on interviews with 880 North Korean defectors living in South Korea and the use of satellite imagery to identify execution sites. However, the group also cautioned that these figures should not be considered definitive.
The report points out that cases violating foreign culture and religious restrictions, including watching South Korean films and TV dramas, were the cause of most execution cases. Before the pandemic border closure, murder was the most common reason for execution.
Hubert Lee, Executive Director of the Transitional Justice Working Group, stated that executions related to cultural violations occurred not only in border areas adjacent to China but also in inland regions, indicating that South Korean media content has spread throughout North Korea.
The report shows that as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intensified his crackdown on dissent during the pandemic lockdown, execution cases involving political crimes also increased from 4 to 28 during the same period.
Lee Yong-hwan said that with Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, expected to succeed him, executions may increase.
"As the time for Kim Ju-ae's succession approaches, executions may surge to eliminate her father's confidants and install her own people."
North Korea's embassies in Singapore and London, as well as Pyongyang's permanent mission to the United Nations, have not yet responded to the content of this report. (Translator: Kao Chao-fen / Editor: Hsu Chung-che) 1150428
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.