When it comes to number of executions in north korea rose dramatically during covid – report, north Korea has significantly ramped up its use of the death penalty during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report detailing 13 years of executions under leader Kim Jong-un. Following the country's border closure in January 2020, documented cases of executions and death sentences soared by 117% compared to the previous five years. This alarming trend highlights the regime's exploitation of international isolation to intensify its punitive measures.
Understanding Number Of Executions In North Korea Rose Dramatically During Covid – Report
The report by the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), a human rights organization based in Seoul, reveals that the number of individuals executed or sentenced to death more than tripled during the nearly five years following the border closure. The study identified 46 execution sites, providing coordinates for 40 of them, and documented a total of 144 cases involving at least 358 individuals since Kim Jong-un assumed power in December 2011. Approximately 70% of these executions were carried out publicly, with forced attendance from local crowds. Originally reported by The Guardian.
The TJWG's findings are based on testimonies from 265 North Korean defectors living in 51 cities and countries, along with information gathered from five media outlets focused on North Korea. With the regime's borders virtually sealed off from January 2020, the report suggests that the government took advantage of the absence of global scrutiny to expand the definition of capital offenses.
New Capital Crimes Linked to Foreign Culture
One of the most striking revelations from the report is a 250% increase in death sentences and executions related to the introduction or dissemination of foreign culture. Offenses associated with South Korean films, dramas, and music, as well as religious and "superstitious" practices, have surged, while traditional capital crimes like murder saw a decline of 44%. This shift indicates a broader cultural crackdown by the regime, which has been increasingly intolerant of foreign influences.
In February, Amnesty International corroborated these findings, revealing testimonies suggesting that even watching popular South Korean dramas such as Crash Landing on You and Squid Game, or listening to K-pop groups like BTS, could lead to extreme punishments, including death. The organization highlighted a pervasive climate of fear, wherein the consumption of South Korean culture is viewed as a serious offense.
Political Executions on the Rise
The report also notes a sharp increase in political executions, particularly for those who violate Kim's orders or criticize the ruling Workers' Party and security services. According to the TJWG, the number of individuals condemned for political offenses has skyrocketed by 600%. This indicates a regime increasingly intolerant of dissent, further tightening its grip on the North Korean population.
Interestingly, the report suggests that the North Korean Leadership has adjusted its approach to capital punishment in response to international pressures. For instance, the number of executions dropped considerably in the aftermath of UN discussions about potentially referring Kim Jong-un to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. However, the trend reversed quickly once the pandemic allowed the regime to operate in relative secrecy.
Geographic Expansion of Executions
During the pandemic, the geographic spread of executions also expanded. Before COVID-19, documented executions were concentrated in eight localities, primarily in Pyongyang and three northeastern provinces. Post-border closure, executions occurred in 19 different localities, indicating an alarming normalization of state-sanctioned killings across the country.
Ethan Hee-seok Shin, a legal analyst at the TJWG, urged the international community to take more robust action to deter these crimes against humanity. He stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable under international criminal law. The report warns that as Kim Jong-un prepares for a potential fourth-generation hereditary succession, with his teenage daughter Ju-ae being groomed as his successor, the frequency of executions may escalate even further.
The TJWG plans to present its findings at the upcoming World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, raising awareness about the dire human rights situation in North Korea as the regime continues to enforce brutal measures against its own citizens.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.