The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) remains one of the most repressive countries in the world. A 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry report found that the government committed systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations that constitute crimes against humanity. These findings remain valid.

Ruled by third-generation totalitarian leader Kim Jong Un, the government maintains control through cruel punishments, including executions, torture, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, enforced disappearances, forced labor, collective punishment, and pervasive surveillance. It systematically denies all basic liberties.

Since 2020, authorities have used the Covid-19 pandemic to justify extreme restrictions. Although many such measures have been lifted, the government maintains a shoot-on-site order at the northern border and continues to tightly restricts access to information and contact with the outside world.

 

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map of North Korea

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