A human rights organization has reported that North Korea dramatically increased the number of executions during its strict COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. According to the group, the regime carried out public shootings and sent more people to forced labor camps, targeting those who violated lockdown rules or engaged in unauthorized trade.
Sharp Rise in Executions
The report, based on testimonies from defectors and satellite imagery, indicates that executions rose sharply in 2021 and 2022 compared to previous years. Many were conducted publicly as a deterrent, with victims accused of smuggling goods, watching foreign media, or attempting to flee the country.
Lockdown as a Cover
Rights advocates argue that the pandemic provided a pretext for the North Korean government to tighten control and eliminate perceived threats. The lockdown, which sealed borders and restricted movement, made it easier for authorities to identify and punish dissenters.
The report also notes that conditions in political prison camps worsened during the pandemic, with food shortages and lack of medical care leading to many deaths. The regime has denied these allegations, calling them fabricated by hostile forces.
International observers have condemned the crackdown, but with limited access to the country, verification remains challenging. The United Nations has called for an investigation into the reported human rights abuses.
