
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains one of the most repressive countries in the world. Ruled by the authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, the government responded to international challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 with deepened isolation and repression, and maintained fearful obedience in the population through threats of execution, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, and forced hard labor in detention and prison camps. In 2021, the North Korea government extended extreme and unnecessary measures under the pretext of protecting against the spread of Covid-19 by closing its borders, and tightly restricting domestic travel as well as distribution of food and other products within the country.
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Videos
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The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement
Annex 22-B: A Missed Opportunity on Workers’ Rights in North Korea
News
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North Korea: Covid-19 Used to Crush Rights
Isolation, Increased Repression Exacerbated Humanitarian Crisis
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North Korea: Covid-19 Used as Pretext to Seal Border
Enhanced Fences, Guard Posts Further Restrict Movement, Trade
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South Korea Investigates Forcible Return of Two North Koreans
Inquiry Should be Credible, Impartial, Independent
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Quad Leaders: Spotlight Rights, Democracy in Asia
US, Japan, India, Australia Should Address Crises Across Region
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US/South Korea: Promote Rights in North Korea
Pyongyang’s Abhorrent Record Should Be on Biden-Yoon Agenda for Seoul Visit
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North Korea Acknowledges Health Crisis amid Covid-19 Outbreak
Population at Risk as Government-Declared ‘Fever’ Spreads
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Letter to President Moon Jae-In Re: UN Human Rights Council’s 2022 resolution on the situation of human rights in North Korea to be adopted at the 49th session
CC. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Unification Minister Lee In-young
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