In a comprehensive report based on 183 interviews with escapees from North Korea, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reveals severe and systematic forced labor abuses. Testimonies highlight that workers failing to meet daily quotas faced beatings and food ration cuts. OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell condemned the conditions, stating these individuals endure intolerable and dangerous work environments without freedom, pay, or basic necessities.
The report identifies six primary forms of forced labor in North Korea, including compulsory detention labor, State-mandated jobs, military conscription, and “Shock Brigades” tasked with strenuous manual labor in sectors like construction and agriculture. Particularly troubling are the detention facilities, where forced labor under threat of violence is rampant, potentially constituting crimes against humanity.
North Koreans are subjected to a multi-layered system of exploitation serving State interests. Military conscripts often face over a decade of hazardous work in agriculture or construction, leading to malnourishment and illnesses like tuberculosis. Similarly, “Shock Brigades” members live on-site for extended periods with minimal compensation, significantly affecting women who are primary family earners.
The report also claims that North Korea sends citizens abroad to generate foreign currency, confiscating up to 90% of their earnings. These workers live under constant surveillance, with restricted freedom and minimal contact with their families. The systemic labor exploitation reportedly starts in childhood, with schoolchildren forced to perform various tasks in a pattern of early indoctrination for State service.
The UN report strongly urges North Korea to abolish forced labor and calls for international investigation and prosecution of those responsible for these human rights violations. Additionally, it recommends that the UN Security Council refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for further action.
Original Story https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/07/1152146
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