North Korea has expanded its list of crimes punishable by death, adding new offenses such as anti-state propaganda and illegal manufacturing to the existing list of 11 offenses. These legal modifications were made through amendments to the criminal law between May 2022 and December 2023, according to the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU). The implementation of the death penalty in North Korea has long been a concern for human rights groups, as the hermetic nature of the country makes it difficult to discern statistics on its use. In 2020, a law was passed making the consumption and distribution of South Korean media punishable by death, along with other “reactionary” behaviors such as wearing outside fashion and using slang terms from South Korea.
Apart from the death penalty, other drastic punishments for anti-social behavior in North Korea include prison camps and forced re-education. These measures are intended to strengthen the Kim regime’s hold on the population through the monopolization of the marketplace and military. Recent reports indicate that North Korea is promising to refine its weapons development and strengthen its nuclear capabilities, with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un stating that the country’s nuclear force should be thoroughly perfected to ensure security against threats from nuclear-armed rival states. The United States’ increased involvement in the region has further prompted North Korea to pursue more powerful weapons as a deterrence mechanism.
At a state event celebrating North Korea’s 76th anniversary, Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s nuclear force and make all armed forces fully ready for combat. The Supreme People’s Assembly, the legislative body of the country, amended the national constitution to enshrine nuclear weaponization as a core principle. The expansion of the list of crimes punishable by death, along with the emphasis on strengthening nuclear capabilities, reflects North Korea’s ongoing efforts to maintain control over its population and deter perceived threats from rival states.
The expansion of the list of crimes punishable by death in North Korea includes new offenses such as anti-state propaganda and illegal manufacturing. This legal modification, made through amendments to the criminal law over a period of several months, has raised concerns among human rights groups due to the hermetic nature of the country making it difficult to ascertain statistics on the use of the death penalty. Reports indicate that in 2020, a law was passed in North Korea making the consumption and distribution of South Korean media punishable by death, along with other “reactionary” behaviors like wearing outside fashion and using slang terms from South Korea.
In addition to the death penalty, North Korea imposes harsh punishments for anti-social behavior, including prison camps and forced re-education, signaling the regime’s intent to strengthen its control over the population through control of the marketplace and military. Recent statements from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have emphasized the need to refine weapons development and strengthen nuclear capabilities to deter threats from rival nuclear-armed states, particularly in response to increased involvement by the United States in the region. The Supreme People’s Assembly amended the national constitution to solidify nuclear weaponization as a core principle, underscoring the regime’s commitment to bolstering its military capabilities.
