Human Rights Violations of North Korea

North Korea's hatching started in the late nineteenth century. At this time the peninsula was just one Korea; its monarchs created the "Hermit Kingdom" by closing its doors to foreign push-and-pull. However, Japanese influence on Korea was very strong as was China's presence and sheer size and power on the country. Russian's also planned to gain from the peninsula economically. These giants held fierce competition against each other which sparked several wars. In 1894 and 1895 there was the Sino-Japanese War, and later, from 1904 to 1905 was the Russo-Japanese War. After Japans victories against Russia and the Chinese, Korea became part of the Japanese Empire when it was annexed in 1910. (USC-UCLA; North Korea Profile, 2006)

Japan ruled Korea with a sharp authority, attempting to wipe all the Koreans had previously known and believed including culture, as well as language. While small Korean uprisings had intended to bring down Japanese control, the Japanese did not lose power of Korea until the end of World War II. With the Soviet Union and the United States the two occupiers of Korea, an agreement on the future government of Korea was not settled. Korea was split into two, with the United States governing the South and the USSR overseeing the North. With the hope to unify them again up to the UN, it was made improbably due to the separate countries political, economical and social goals. Thus the south formed the Republic of Korea and the north, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1948. Kim-Il Sung became the leader of the North through the Korean War, North Korea's attempt to take control of South Korea, from 1950 to 1953. The war was only ended when Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed, and the Demilitarized Zone on the 38th parallel was formed. 2.5 million people died in the Korean War. (N.K. Profile)

North Korea functions as a single-party state under a democratic framework. However, according to the "Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2006," North Korea is ranked as the least democratic and most authoritative on its list of the more than 150 countries that are democratic. North Korea's Constitution does protect human rights, as well as democracy, however most power falls onto the de facto leader, Kim Jong-Il. (N.K. Profile) Under his rule, the country falls to this low-point of democracy and into a totalitarian dictatorship.

Instead of list his country as Communist, or admit to influences of Marxism and Stalinism, Kim Il-Sung used "Juche" ideology to define how the political system would work. Juche can be translated as "self-reliance." Juche includes three key principles that are: "Independence in politics, self-sustenance in the economy, and self-defense in national defense." The main goal of building under Juche is to establish socialism and communism within the borders of North Korea. It differs from Marxism in that it states that Koreans are a blood-based nationality, that Korea will always continue and that Koreans will always live in Korea and speak Korean. As well as having many similarities with Marxist and Stalinist ideologies, Maoist ideologies show their influence as well. Today, outside analysts see little of Juche in North Korea. Much outside help has come as far as economics. North Korea survives heavily on imports and exports through China and other countries. Also, people have little influence on the choices made in government. (Kang, 2001)

The ruling party in North Korea is the "Workers' Party of Korea." This party has been the only ruling party since the formation of North Korea. While other minor parties exist, they are bound by the ruling party and their law. Elections within the party due occur, but there is never more than one candidate that is selected by the party beforehand.

The first and only president of North Korea, Kim Il-Sung, is the Eternal President. To this day no one takes his seat as President, and the position is formally left open and empty. The next highest position in North Korean office according to the Constitution is the Chairman of the National Defense Commission. The Chairman commands the military and directs national defense for the state. Kim Jong-Il, Kim Il-Sung's son, has taken this position since his father passed away in 1984, abolishing the reelection requirement for the National Defense Commission, as well as commenting on there being no need for the return of a presidential body. Kim Jong-Il also has a cabinet consisting of a Premier, Vice-Premiers, and Ministers of the government.

The legislative branch is known as the Supreme People's Assembly. It is made up of 687 members that are elected every 5 years. However, these members only meet twice a year for a few days at a time. The standing committee is known as the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly who make legislative decisions when the previous isn't in session. The fact that they hardly ever meet, elections are uncontested and any proposals the government sends through passes Parliament within days just illustrates that this is more of a distraction from Marxism than it is a step towards democracy.

North Korea's justice system is headed up by the Central Court. At it, there is one Chief Justice and two People's Assessors. Every court in North Korea follows this build, as well. However, the judiciary system is not capable of judicial review, or the ability to inspect whether laws, rules, and amendments are actually constitutional. On top of this, North Korean police usually interfere and bend facts to cases, so much so that a case is normally not needed to know its final outcome. Some would say that the judiciary system is just another stamp for North Korean's government to be considered democratic. They could be classed as a kangaroo court, where due process of law is not followed, and the outcome of any trial is made before the trial. Any punishment that may be carried out by the court system is usually harsh, and well beyond cruel and unusual punishment. Imprisonment of a whole family when one of its members is jailed, or collective imprisonment, is a common practice in North Korean law. Human rights, which are supposedly protected by the Constitution, are constantly ignored and hardly ever acknowledged. (Freedom House, 2006; Background Note: North Korea)

"In 1988, the North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations wrote to the Minnesota Lawyers International Human Rights Committee that violations of human rights do not take place and are "unthinkable" in North Korea."(Hawk, 2003) This could hardly be further from the truth. When it comes to human
rights in North Korea, no people could be more starved of them than the North Koreans. They are forbidden to speak their minds freely, religion is forced upon by government, movement is controlled, and other evils against human rights are evident, such as death-ridden prison camps and the torture that goes on within their walls.

Freedom of Speech and Assembly

The freedom of speech and peaceful assembly should be protected by North Korea's Constitution, but it is overwhelming clear that this is a freedom all North Korean people are lacking. To criticize their government would certainly lead to arrest and the possibility to end up in one of North Korea's infamous prison camps. Protest is unheard of and unseen. North Korea's population is well aware of the consequences. Even if military or police presence is not around, much of North Korea's force employs undercover agents dressed in street clothes. (Dodds, 2007)

Freedom of the Press and Communication Access

All media outlets in North Korea are controlled by the government. This includes printed materials, television, film, as well as radio. Television and radio sets are modified by the North Korean government to only pick up the channels and stations that are controlled by them. Any hampering of radio or televisions to pick up outside channels is punishable. Most of what is put out through communications is propaganda for the "Dear" and "Great Leaders" of the country. It also attempts to place hate upon other foreign governments, especially the United State's government. Internet has recently been installed by the Chinese and South Korean companies, but access to internet is very limited. All foreign websites are blocked. In 2002 cellular phones were introduced and imported into the country. (Foster-Carter, 2002) In 2004 all cell phone use was banned. Foreigners entering the country with cell phones will be asked to surrender them. Landline telephones are numbered at around 1 for every 23 people, or about 1 million lines. It is easy to say they are listened to by North Korea's big brother as well. (Freedom House)

Freedom of Religion

Most of North Korea's citizens follow Buddhist or Confucius religions. Although, North Korea's government states that there are several Protestant and Christian churches in the state, the government has used these churches to make it seem like there is religious freedom there. In truth, the government shuns non-traditional beliefs and strictly prohibits them. The possession of a Christian Bible is cause for arrest. Several defectors of North Korea state that while believers were sparse, many may have celebrated at "underground" churches. (Christian Today, 2005)

Sun-Ok Lee, a former prisoner and defector of North Korea, testified to the United States government that believing in Christian ideologies was punishable with death. "Five or six elderly Christians were lined and forced to deny their Christianity and accept the Juche Ideology of the State. The prisoners remained silent. The guards became infuriated by this and killed them by pouring molten iron on them one-by-one. (Lee, 2002)

Freedom of Movement

"Freedom of movement does not exist," according to Freedom House's 2006 Country Report. Recently, a bit more freedom has been established upon its citizens, in the form to travel outside their main town. However, very few actually have the means to go anywhere more than a short distance. Only the elites of the country have access to vehicles, and the government limits fuel and transportation means to its citizens. North Korean citizens are strictly forbidden to emigrate from the country, however, those such as elite businessmen, government officials, athletes, artists, scholars and religious figures have some access to exit visas. Relocation of citizens is a common practice of the government as a punishment for political cases, such as the belief that one may rebel against the government. In Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, only the healthiest and politically reliable are allowed to survive. Here they have access to better housing and health care, which is a tool to keep citizens from rebelling. (Freedom House)

The most outrageous part of the North Korean's democracy, are the lives that prisoners suffer. The
government calls these prisons reform institutions and political camps. The official purpose of these reform institutions is to reform prisoner's ideology, while in reality it is simply to exploit slave labor. Every year, there is a specific quota of how many prisoners there needs to be in theses prison camps. This is to provide labor for products that are exported from North Korea and produced in these prisons. While most that are in the prison hardly deserve to be there, due to petty crimes, none being done at all or the governments suspicion of a rebellion, all of those that are imprisoned are all left beaten, battered, unhealthy, insane, or dead. These camps, located in 12 provinces of North Korea, may be currently holding a minimum of 200,000 prisoners. The largest of these prisons can hold up to 50,000 prisoners. (Background Note: North Korea) These include children and grandparents of those who may be considered "class-enemies to the state." (Hawk)

Even before they reach prison, those interrogated are held in harsh conditions. Many reports state they are subjected to wait for their trial several months, even years in interrogation facilities. They are made to admit what crimes have been charged on them before they reach court through forms of punishment, torture, and coercion.

Prison life is even rougher. Many prisoners leave the prisons at the end of their sentences beaten, brainwashed, tremendously underweight and unhealthy, and with nothing to return to. Other prisoners never finished their sentences, dying from torture, experimentation, malnutrition, or other causes. Prisoners are confined to survive in small cells packed with many other prisoners. The sizes of the cells are approximately 16 by 19 feet and could contain up to 100 prisoners. Prisoners uncomfortably sleep head to foot, with the other prisoners' feet in their face. As a pillow, some roll up their clothes. In winter months, prisoners must snug together to survive the harsh North Korean winter, while in the summer they suffer the stinking sweat in the heat. Every night, two prisoners must take turns in one hour shifts watching the other prisoners, reporting every bit of activity, including sleep talking, to the prison guards. Prison food is rationed lightly, allowing prisoners to eat salt soap and 100 grams of corn meal a day. Portions were lighted if the prisoner is being punished. These light portions leave prisoners well malnourished. Prisoners are allowed two showers per year, so they naturally stink.

A quote from Sun-Ok Lee sums up how a prisoners life was:

"A prisoner has no right to laugh, talk, sing or look in the mirror. Prisoners must kneel down on the ground and keep their heads down deeply whenever called by a guard; they can say nothing except to answer questions asked. Women prisoners' babies are killed on delivery. Prisoners have to work as slaves for 18 hours a day. Repeated failure to meet the work quotas means a week's time in a punishment cell. A prisoner must give up their human worth."

Death and Torture

Innumerable accounts of death and torture have been reported by those released or escaped from the camps and eventually those who became refugees in other countries.

When a prisoner has failed to comply, meet a work quota, or is just randomly selected by a prison guard, they could be sent to a punishment chamber. These chambers are approximately 20 by 60 centimeters, leaving very little room for the detainee to do anything. Here they are forced to sit with their head near their legs, unable to stand, stretch their legs or even lean on a wall as they are jagged. Many of the prisoners are left in these chambers for such a long time they become permanently crippled, and in the winter they are damaged by frostbite as well. Several die from the conditions. Some prisoners enjoyed the taste of rat meat when if one would happen to crawl out of the toilet hole, which would also produce maggots.

Prisoners found to be ill were often grouped together in a quarantine chamber. Here they are left to be sick and die. The quarantine chambers are so often filled with so many people, prisoners were stacked on top of one another, with the dead and sickest on the bottom. Prisoners lucky enough to survive diseases are few. (Lee)

Several reports are made by those that suffered freezing tortures. Several days, even weeks or months of this torture would occur. They are forced to go outside during the winter months and kneel on the cold gravel beneath them. Here they are showered with cold water and told to stay still for 1 hour. This was a common punishment that created frostbite and lead to death for many. (Hawk; Lee)

A form of water torture used includes a kettle being shoved in a prisoner's mouth which opens their throat. With no control of what enters and doesn't, they suffer through suffocation as water enters their stomach and lungs uncontrollably. The water would then be forced out by placing a board on their stomach and then the guards would jump on it. The water would exit out all orifices of the body. If the prisoner survived, they would be left with a destroyed urinary tract and much swelling and pain.

One form of torture has prisoners strapped loosely from the prison door bars hanging off of them spread eagle. They are then beaten and whipped restlessly. Blood splashes onto prisoners behind the bars. When the prisoner's torture is complete, their body is so swollen their joints will not bend which makes them unable to urinate and excrete sitting.

Guards sometimes used prisoners as punching bags. They would work out and practice martial arts with living prisoners. They are taken out of their cells and on commencement of the first kick the prisoner will usually stay still, bleeding and gasping for breath until they are kicked back into their cells. (Lee)

Public executions are a near daily occurrence in these camps. All prisoners are forced out of their cells and brought into the prison square. The person about to be executed is gagged. They are then tied to a pole at the knees and chest. Six guards with 3 bullets each aim and take fire and the prisoner's chest. With the chest ropes destroyed by the bullets, the dead prisoner then leans over forward as blood pores out of the body. All prisoners in the complex are then forced to march and look at the dead prisoner. (Hawk)

Private executions are sometimes carried out in temperature-controlled chambers. Many times, this happens in interrogation departments before a detainee may get a trial. This happens when they may be embarrassed by publicity any public moves may make. The person to be executed would be put in a chamber small enough to just fit in with one's head between their legs. Before being forced into the chamber they were placed in a straw body bag for quick removal. In summer months, they are killed by heat and freezing temperatures in the winter.

Prisoners were commonly killed and shot on spot for many reasons. If a guard is bored, he could choose to interrogate a prisoner. If he didn't like what they prisoner reply with, they can be killed. Prisoners can be shot for failing to do work procedures right or stepping out of place during marching drills. If a prisoner fails to listen, they can be shot or even have their ears ripped off. If anything is reported or seen stolen, a prisoner will die. Accidents and not reporting things other inmates have done is also reason for punishment. (Lee)

Experimentation within the compound walls are carried upon inmates dead and alive. Selected prisoners, commonly the weak, old, and deemed useless by the guards were selected by the tens and hundreds and forced to eat different kinds of foods containing poisons. Within minutes the prisoners would be on the floor bleeding or convulsing from the effects of the poison, then left for dead. Several chemical weapons are tested on prisoners outdoors. After newborns are killed, they are taken to laboratories where tests and experiments are put upon them. This is also common for adult prisoners. Several experiments are reported on live patients, as well. (Lee; Hawk)

In 1987 there is one report of over 5,000 prisoners being massacred in one camp. It began when prisoner working as a coal miner beat a State Security operative to death protesting against the excessive use of torture in the camp. 200 others beat another operative when they saw the first beating being performed. With these two previous actions, a total of about 5,000 other prisoners, all feeling they had nothing left to live for, began to fight against the prison guards. The guards, equipped with automatic rifles, wiped out all rioters, not leaving a single one alive. The prison's remaining 10,000 inmates were then sent to other prisons as this one, Concentration Camp No. 12, was subsequently closed. (Kang, Chol-hwan, 2002)

There are many other countless forms of punishment and torture carried out on those in these camps. Women are raped. Children are separated from mothers and fathers. If the end of the prison sentence comes for those alive, if the family is reunited, many times the children cannot recognize their parents as they are so badly beaten. When released back into society, they are stamped as ex-convicts and lowered to the point where they can no longer hold any type of job. Many rely on fleeing the country to China, and many are caught and sentenced again into imprisonment. Over the years, it is estimated that 500,000 to 1 million people have died or been killed in these reform institutions. (Hawk)

With North Korea finally being recognized for its harsh living conditions for its people and the human rights violations being brought upon them, more and more people are seeing what is actually happening. With this international relationships are teetering as North Korea removes any help the people may get from outside sources. The testing of North Korea's first bomb in 2006, there have been many moves to attempt to de-nuclearize the North. Yet still, talks are still being made to attempt to join North and South Korea and bring peace to the area.

The state, due to its Juche ideology, has had most humanitarian aid removed from the country lately. Even with humanitarian aid, the state is left with low supplies of food and power. Monthly wage of farmers decreased in 2005 when a ban on free markets was raised, where in some cases they did not make over $1 a month creating a giant surge for those to change jobs, creating a larger deficit in food. Clean water is in scarcity, as well as access to good health care and hospitals. Human rights infractions are constantly broken among its citizens, and there is nothing they can do to fight the power Kim holds in the top seat of the state. (Freedom House)

Since North Korea announced it had tested an atomic bomb underground in October 2006, several countries including China, South Korea, Russia, Japan and the United States have been in a constant state of discussion on what to do to the North. In an attempt to begin to make the state de-nuclear, agreements have come forth which have shut down Yongbyon nuclear reactor, which is a main source of North Korea's weapon plutonium. Kim also ordered other plants to shut down in exchange for a large stock pile of fuel oil. Several funds previously frozen in Macau of Mr. Kim's have also been unfrozen, but it is unlikely this may soften his actions and what his people suffer. (Background Note) "North Korea's nuclear weapon power makes it the most dangerous nuclear power in the world." Defectors from the country are also aware that Kim Jong-Il is stockpiling chemical weapons. So much so that he may have enough to decimate South Korea's population. (Martin)

Relations between Japan and North Korea are very stiff as well. North Korea had previously abducted several Japanese citizens, and Japan wants to know what has happened. Over 20 of its citizens were taken. Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, vows not to normalize relations until they know what has happened of these people. George Bush has also vowed not to begin discussions until this has been figured out. North Korea says they know nothing of the abductions, and none of those listed missing had ever entered North Korea. (Country Report on Human Rights - 2005: North Korea, 2006)

Talks have been on hand to discuss the joining of both the Koreas. Despite being completely opposite as far as politics are concerned, both countries have a goal to finally reunite. While most view a democratic policy similar to the South Korea's current build, most does not include North Korea. (Background Note) However whether it is from a collapse of Kim's regime or a gradual integration it is still just a topic being debated intensely through politics. War may even be the case, and defected North Koreans say they would "welcome a war if it could end the suffering of others in North Korea." (Martin) Those involved are those of the Six-Party Talks: both Koreas, United States, Japan, Russia and China. (Background Note)

Atrocities against its people may never end if something is not done to stop Kim Jong-Il's regime. While the six-party talks are underway, they have been underway for many years. Much of what the United States is focusing on is getting rid of North Korea's nuclear power. How many more people will need to die before someone steps up, and takes charge of what the true issue in North Korea is?

It is estimated that a possible 1 million have died in prison camps, and possibly millions more through the hardships of famines, poor crop production, and floods that hit North Korea yearly. "Defectors have reported citizens resorting to eating bugs, rodents, bark, and even human flesh in order to survive." (LiNK, 2007) Why is nearly a quarter of North Korea's GNP being spent on military (which is the 4th largest in the world at 1.21 military personal) (Background Note) , instead of feeding it's people? How does a government get away with this without getting punished?

While the suffering needs to stop, someone surely needs to take charge upon what is happening within the boundaries of the "Hermit Kingdom." China has easy access to the North, and could take control to help refugees within North Korea. However, they find an operation on North Korea could be more harmful to the Koreans than it would be helpful. Joint operations between the U.S. and South Korea should certainly take place, however South Korea is worried any action taken could cause the destruction Seoul, which is only 25 miles from the DMZ. (Dodds) Before North Korea's military gets too powerful, something should be done as soon as possible. "Instead of isolating the country, we should pursue engaging it."

BOOKS

Lankov, A. (2002, January). Kim Takes Control:The 'Great Purge ' in North Korea,1956--1960. Korean Studies

Martin, B. (2006) Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty. St. Martin's Press

Korea, North. (2006). World Almanac & Book of Facts

MAGAZINES

Dodds, K. (2007, February). NORTH KOREA. Geographical

North Korea Profile. (2006, November). International Debate. Vol. 4 Issue 8

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Kang, Kwang-Shick. (2001, September). Juche Idea and the Alteration Process in Kim Il Sung's Works: A Study on How to Read Kim Il-Sung's Works. Monash University: KSAA Conference 2001.

Lee, Soon-Ok. (2002, May). Statement of Sun-Ok Lee, Former Prison and Camp Survivor.
Testimony to the United States Government

INTERNET

Background Note: North Korea. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved October 12th, 2007 from
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2792.htm.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005: North Korea. (2006, March) U.S. Department of State. Retreived on October 27th from http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61612.htm

Foster-Carter, Aiden. (2002, July). North Korea's Tentative Telecoms. Retrieved October 12th, 2007 from http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/DG06Dg02.html.

Freedom House Country Report: North Korea (2006). Retrieved October 12th, 2007 from
http://freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2006&country=6993.

Hawk, David. (2003). The Hidden Gulag: Exposing North Korea's Prison Camps Prisoners' Testimonies and Satellite Photographs. U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. http://www.hrnk.org/hiddengulag/toc.html.

Kang, Chol-Hwan. (2001, December). 5,000 Prisoners Massacred at Onsong Concentration Camp in 1987. Retreived October 13th, 2007 from http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200212/200212110038.html

LiNK: Liberty in North Korea. Retreived on October 19th, 2007 from
http://www.linkglobal.org/north-korea.html.

New Reports Tell of Executions, Torture of Christians in North Korea. (2005, November). Christian Today. Retrieved on October 19th, 2007 from http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.reports.tell.of.executions.torture.of.christians.i n.north.korea/4623-2.htm

USC-UCLA East Asian Studies Documents, Treaty of Annexation. Retrieved October 12th 2007 from http://www.isop.ucla.edu/eas/documents/kore1910.htm.