“You Cry at Night but Don’t Know Why”: Sexual Violence against Women in North Korea

Female trader giving a bribe to a market supervisor in an alley near the market. Female traders have described offering bribes in order to avoid potential harassment.
Female trader giving a bribe to a market supervisor in an alley near the market.  Female traders have described offering bribes in order to avoid potential harassment. © 2018 Choi Seong Guk for Human Rights Watch
Police officer checking to see if a trader has hidden “anti-socialist” material in her belongings. Police officers conduct searches in female traders’ belongings, which can be a prelude to a body search.
Police officer checking to see if a trader has hidden “anti-socialist” material in her belongings. Police officers conduct searches in female traders’ belongings, which can be a prelude to a body search. © 2018 Choi Seong Guk for Human Rights Watch
Male government officials and female traders sitting in a railway carriage, while a railroad officer checks a female trader’s ticket. In railway carriages, women often face harassment by male government officials and railroad officers.
Male government officials and female traders sitting in a railway carriage, while a railroad officer checks a female trader’s ticket. In railway carriages, women often face harassment by male government officials and railroad officers. © 2018 Choi Seong Guk for Human Rights Watch
Woman being questioned by a secret police investigator. Former detainees say that secret police investigators can easily harass female detainees during questioning.
Woman being questioned by a secret police investigator. Former detainees say that secret police investigators can easily harass female detainees during questioning.   Illustrations, drawn by former North Korean propaganda artist Choi Seong Guk, are inspired by the artist’s experience in North Korea and the testimonies of survivors included in this report. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental; these are not intended as portraits of actual people or events but of typical scenarios. © 2018 Choi Seong Guk for Human Rights Watch
Women the sitting position in a pre-trial detention facility run by the police. Detainees are commonly forced to assume this position in pre-trial detention and temporary holding facilities.
Women the sitting position in a pre-trial detention facility run by the police. Detainees are commonly forced to assume this position in pre-trial detention and temporary holding facilities. © 2018 Choi Seong Guk for Human Rights Watch
Region / Country