Executions in North Korea ramped up significantly during pandemic – report

Rise in Executions During Pandemic

Executions in North Korea ramped up significantly – A recent report from a Seoul-based non-governmental organization (NGO) reveals a dramatic surge in executions within North Korea during the Covid-19 pandemic. Between January 2020 and the end of 2024, at least 153 individuals were either executed or given death sentences, marking a steep increase compared to the preceding five years. During that period, the number of executions had averaged around 44 annually. The Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), the entity behind the study, attributes the spike to the regime’s intensified efforts to suppress dissent and maintain strict ideological control.

The report highlights that North Korea’s closure of its borders during the pandemic likely contributed to the rise in executions. With international scrutiny reduced and communication with the outside world limited, the government appears to have accelerated its use of capital punishment to eliminate perceived threats. This trend aligns with broader patterns under Kim Jong-un’s leadership, where the state has prioritized maintaining political dominance through harsh measures.

Common Offences and Cultural Controls

Among the most frequent charges were religious activities, superstitious beliefs, and the consumption of foreign cultural content. The TJWG noted that South Korean pop culture, including K-dramas and K-pop, has been a primary target of the regime’s censorship. These media forms are outlawed in North Korea, with critics arguing they undermine the state’s propaganda and ideological framework.

Religious practices, such as attending Christian or Buddhist services, have long been associated with dissent. Similarly, traditional superstitions—like using fortune-telling or lunar calendars—have been criminalized as relics of “backward” thinking. The banning of K-dramas and K-pop is part of a deliberate strategy to isolate North Koreans from external influences. Researchers suggest that the regime views these cultural exports as tools of psychological warfare, aiming to erode loyalty to the Kim dynasty.

A rare video released in 2024 captured two teenagers being publicly sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for watching and distributing K-dramas. This incident underscores the regime’s willingness to target even young citizens for perceived ideological transgressions. The TJWG’s findings indicate that these cultural violations, often linked to broader political offenses, have become a recurring justification for execution.

Historical Context and Execution Trends

While the pandemic marked a turning point, the increase in executions is part of a longer trend under Kim’s rule. The TJWG discovered that more than 80 people were executed in 2013, a period when the regime was consolidating power. This peak was followed by a decline from 2015 to 2019, attributed to international pressure after a pivotal UN investigation into human rights abuses.

However, this reprieve was short-lived. The closure of North Korea’s borders in 2020, which began during the pandemic, triggered a sharp rebound in executions. The number of killings rose to 54 that year, then to 45 in 2021, far exceeding the average of five per year in the previous two years. This reversal suggests that the regime leveraged the pandemic as an opportunity to tighten its grip on society.

Of the 144 documented cases of executions and death sentences during Kim’s rule, 29 involved charges tied to religion, superstition, and foreign culture. Other notable offenses included criticizing the leader, intentional homicide, drug trafficking, and aiding defectors. The TJWG’s analysis underscores how the state uses a wide range of accusations to eliminate opponents and reinforce its narrative of loyalty.

Public Executions and Methodology

More than 70% of the 358 executions recorded between 2011 and 2024 were conducted publicly, according to the TJWG. The group mapped 46 execution sites across the country, revealing a systematic approach to capital punishment. Most victims were shot, a method described as efficient and psychologically impactful. These public displays serve as a means of instilling fear and ensuring compliance with the regime’s rules.

The TJWG’s research is based on testimonies from over 250 North Korean defectors who shared details about their experiences in the country. These accounts provide critical insight into the scale and nature of the executions, as well as the regime’s rationale. The NGO’s work has been instrumental in shedding light on human rights violations, particularly those related to the death penalty, which remains a central instrument of control.

The report also emphasizes the regime’s focus on cultural and ideological purity. By outlawing K-dramas and K-pop, North Korea aims to prevent the infiltration of ideas that challenge its authoritarian system. Researchers warn that this focus on cultural control is likely to intensify as the Kim dynasty prepares for its fourth generation of leadership. The TJWG’s press release states,

“As the regime pursues a 4th hereditary succession of power, there is a high risk of increased executions to strengthen cultural and ideological control and maintain political dominance.”

This statement highlights the regime’s strategic use of the death penalty to secure its legacy and suppress opposition.

Despite the drop in executions during the early 2010s, the resurgence in 2020 signals a renewed emphasis on repression. The TJWG’s findings suggest that the state is adapting its methods to align with global crises, using them as a tool to assert control. With borders closed and international attention diverted, North Korea has capitalized on the situation to eliminate dissenters and reinforce its narrative of strength.

Analysts argue that the rise in executions is not merely a reaction to the pandemic but a calculated move to solidify Kim Jong-un’s authority. The regime’s focus on cultural and ideological purity reflects its broader strategy of erasing alternative perspectives and ensuring unwavering allegiance. As the report highlights, the death penalty remains a key mechanism for achieving this goal, with the state using it to target both political adversaries and individuals who embody external influences.

While the exact number of executions may be difficult to verify, the TJWG’s data provides a compelling snapshot of the situation. The NGO’s efforts to document these cases have added to the global understanding of North Korea’s human rights practices, particularly its use of the death penalty. With the pandemic still shaping the country’s internal dynamics, the report serves as a stark reminder of the regime’s ongoing commitment to suppression and control.