Today, Korea Future published an important briefing paper exposing the widespread and systematic violations of human rights experienced by persons with disabilities in the penal system of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Our research revealed alarming statistics: over 60% of detainees with disabilities  were denied reasonable provisions during their custody, pre-trial detention, sentencing, and imprisonment, such as wheelchairs, crutches, or
special assistance of other kinds, while more than 25% of all detainees with disabilities were subjected to forced labour, including farming and logging, without regard for their disabilities.

The briefing paper aims to arm governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society organisations with crucial data to enhance accountability and inform policy development and diplomatic efforts in addressing human rights violations. Despite the DPRK’s engagement with the international community, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, their violations of detainees' rights constitute a serious breach of international law.

Drawing from 259 interviews conducted between 2021 and 2023, the North Korean Prison Database meticulously catalogues each violation, providing a robust legal framework to support international and domestic legal proceedings. This comprehensive approach ensures that our findings are not only informative but also actionable for those striving to address these serious human rights issues.

We extend our gratitude to the German Federal Foreign Office for their generous support in the publication of this briefing paper.