Home / Crime and Justice / Death Penalty for K-Dramas: North Korea's Brutal Laws
Death Penalty for K-Dramas: North Korea's Brutal Laws
4 Feb
Summary
- Watching South Korean media can lead to execution or labor camps.
- Wealth and connections determine the severity of punishment for citizens.
- A recent law mandates up to 15 years of forced labor or death.
Amnesty International has reported that North Korea is enforcing severe penalties, including executions, for citizens found watching South Korean television and other foreign media. The report, compiled from interviews with 25 defectors who left between 2012 and 2020, details a system where punishment is often determined by wealth and connections, not solely by the offense.
Testimonies reveal that many North Koreans resort to paying substantial bribes, sometimes up to $10,000, to officials to avoid harsh sentences. Individuals without financial means or connections may face years in labor camps or public executions. A 2020 law, enacted as the country tightened border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic, categorizes possession of foreign media as punishable by up to 15 years of forced labor, with the death penalty reserved for large-scale distribution.
These practices align with long-standing human rights concerns documented by the United Nations and other organizations. Despite the risks, the consumption of smuggled foreign media remains prevalent. Amnesty International urges the North Korean government to repeal laws criminalizing access to information and abolish the death penalty for such offenses, emphasizing the government's control over information flow.
