"Everyday Sexual Violence"... The Biggest Issue in 'North Korean Human Rights' Is Women, Will the International Community Step In?

Male dominance and widespread sexual violence..."Reporting is pointless"
"A vulnerable-centered approach is urgent and important"
South Korea-US-UN cooperation, meaningful outcomes expected

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] 'Women' have emerged as a key issue in the human rights matters to which North Korea reacts most sensitively. With recent focused attention on North Korean human rights from South Korea, the United States, and even the United Nations, the human rights situation of North Korean women is drawing significant attention.

According to the Ministry of Unification and the Korea Institute for National Unification on the 6th, the ideology of 'Namjon Yubi' (male superiority and female inferiority, 男尊女卑) still dominates in North Korea, and violence against women has become normalized.

Although North Korean authorities have enacted a Women's Rights Protection Law declaring "all forms of discrimination against women are prohibited," it is known that men and women are not regarded as equals and restrictions on basic rights remain in place.

Earlier, Elizabeth Salm?n, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, emphasized during the international conference on "The Human Rights Situation of Women and Girls in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" held on the 30th and 31st of last month during her visit to South Korea, that "in the coming months, the human rights situation of women in North Korea will be prioritized for review." This discussion, with a focus on 'women,' is expected to be reflected in the Special Rapporteur's report to be submitted at next month's UN Human Rights Council session.

Salm?n repeatedly stressed the importance of a gender-based approach and victim-centered thinking. While most residents find it difficult to secure human rights, the emphasis is on proactively raising issues centered on women, who are in a relatively more vulnerable position.

Thorough Discrimination Against Women, Widespread Sexual Violence... "Proper Punishment Not Enforced"

North Korean Residents Celebrating '10 Years of Kim Jong-un's Rule' [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Since Chairman Kim Jong-un came to power, women's 'social participation' in North Korea has increased, but it is reported that men and women have different occupational choices. This is due to the deeply ingrained attitude of not viewing men and women as equals. Even in party advancement, there is a perception that factors such as appearance or connections, rather than ability, favor women’s appointment as cadres.

A woman in her 30s, a North Korean defector (A), testified in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the day, saying, "In North Korea, the perception that 'men work and women should marry well and live obediently' is firmly established," adding, "In recent years, women have been able to earn money by going to the Jangmadang (market), but rather than engaging in social activities, it is just an increase in labor including childcare, housework, and maintaining the household."

The level of discrimination and violence against women is known to be at a level difficult to find a similar example in modern society. Testimonies have been consistently collected that sexual violence such as rape and sexual harassment against women is routinely committed. This is why 'women' are expected to be a priority agenda in seeking solutions to North Korean human rights issues and pressuring North Korean authorities at the international level.

A woman in her 50s, B, explained, "If the bones are not broken, even if you report being beaten by your husband, no significant action is taken," adding, "If you want a quick divorce, you have to pay money (bribes), otherwise it takes more than three years." She also noted that while the perception that 'violence is uncivilized' is emerging among the younger generation due to the distribution of South Korean dramas, overall, the situation remains unchanged.

Sexual violence is especially widespread in areas where the military is stationed, and even if reports are properly made, punishments are reduced, such as dispatching assault squads instead of labor reform sentences. There are also testimonies of inhumane treatment, such as forcibly labeling those trafficked to China and forcibly repatriated to North Korea as 'criminals' for illegal border crossing, coercing abortions during investigations, or neglecting newborn infants to death. B said, "I heard that interrogators stripped people naked and conducted anal examinations, asking 'What are you hiding?'"

"The International Community Must Act"... Will 'South Korea, US, and UN' Cooperation Yield Results?

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se visits Panmunjom
Photo by Yonhap News

Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University, pointed out, "It is already widely known that discrimination and human rights violations against women in North Korea are at a very serious level." He added, "Approaching the issue focusing on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the disabled is an urgent and important task," and "Considering gaining international consensus and the high likelihood of North Korean authorities' backlash when raising political and military human rights issues such as political prison camps, raising women's human rights issues will be the most practical approach."

Lee Shin-hwa, North Korean Human Rights International Cooperation Ambassador, also diagnosed that discrimination and sexual violence against North Korean women and girls, as well as the risk of human trafficking of defector women, are at a serious level. Ambassador Lee emphasized, "To change the North Korean regime's perception, the international community must pressure and persuade North Korea."

Amid the growing importance of international pressure efforts on North Korea, the United States recently nominated Julie Turner, a US State Department official, to the long-vacant position of Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, initiating active movements on North Korean human rights issues. In particular, along with South Korea’s Ambassador Lee Shin-hwa and the UN’s Special Rapporteur Salm?n, these 'women' are expected to play an active role in addressing North Korea's 'women's human rights' issues.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification has presented North Korean human rights as one of the top priorities in this year's national agenda and plans to intensify efforts to improve North Korean human rights. Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se will attend the 'North Korean Human Rights Forum' held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 10th. This forum, co-hosted by the Ministry of Unification and National Assembly member Tae Young-ho of the People Power Party, will address key issues such as guaranteeing the right to life of North Korean residents.