Number of executions in North Korea rose dramatically during Covid – report
Summary
North Korea increased executions and death sentences sharply after it closed its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic. A report found that the government expanded the crimes punishable by death, especially for sharing foreign culture and criticizing the regime, while executions spread across more regions in the country.Key Facts
- Executions and death sentences rose by 117% after North Korea closed its borders in January 2020.
- At least 358 people were executed or sentenced to death between December 2011 and December 2024.
- About 70% of executions were public, with crowds forced to watch.
- The regime increased death penalties for crimes related to consuming South Korean culture, like TV shows and music, by 250%.
- Executions for murder, once the most common reason, dropped by 44%.
- Political executions for defying Kim Jong-un or his party increased by 600%.
- Executions spread from 8 locations before Covid to 19 locations after border closures.
- The report calls on the international community to act against these human rights abuses.
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