New Report Exposes North Korea's Repressive Criminal Justice System

Korea Future has today released a new briefing paper, Criminal Proceedings and the Role of the Ministry of Social Security, which sheds light on the deeply repressive criminal justice system in North Korea. This report is a critical resource for policymakers, civil society organisations, and advocates seeking to address the systematic human rights violations perpetrated by the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).

The briefing provides a detailed analysis of the criminal proceedings for “ordinary crimes” in North Korea, examining the role of the Ministry of Social Security (formerly the Ministry of People’s Security) in managing suspects and overseeing their detention. It explores the Ministry's complex structure, the various stages of criminal proceedings—investigation, pre-trial examination, indictment, and trial—and the specific functions of the different penal facilities used throughout these processes.

Drawing on testimonies from survivors, witnesses, and former state agents, the report explains how, instead of following principles of fair trial or due process, these criminal proceedings are designed as mechanisms to enforce ideological conformity and punish those deemed non-compliant with WPK directives. By detailing the roles and responsibilities of specific state actors within the Ministry of Social Security, this briefing is essential for understanding how legal processes are manipulated to serve the political agenda of the WPK and for developing effective strategies for advocacy, accountability, and policy intervention.

Our findings underscore the urgent need for sustained international scrutiny of North Korea’s criminal proceedings and penal system. The report calls for a coordinated response from governments, international organisations, and civil society to address these systematic violations, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and secure justice for the countless victims of this repressive system.