Today, we published a briefing paper that details widespread sexual and gender-based violence within the penal system of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This report is aimed at providing governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society organisations with essential data that can bolster accountability and guide policy development and diplomatic efforts regarding human rights violations.
Our research highlights that women, particularly those aged 20 to 39, frequently suffer violations such as forced undressing and invasive body inspections without medical justification. These acts are predominantly recorded in detention and holding centres, underscoring that severe violations occur not only in political prison camps but throughout the penal system. This extensive documentation reveals a clear pattern: numerous identified state officials, especially from the Ministry of State Security and the Ministry of Social Security, are directly involved in or responsible for these acts of violence.
With information drawn 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 working to address these serious human rights issues.
The briefing paper was generously supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
