North Korea is reportedly imposing severe punishments, including death, on individuals caught watching popular TV shows like Squid Game and listening to K-pop music. According to recent accounts shared by Amnesty International, defectors from Kim Jong-un’s regime revealed that even viewing South Korean dramas such as Crash Landing on You and Descendants of the Sun could result in harsh consequences, with those lacking financial means facing the brunt of the punishment.
The testimonies emerged from detailed interviews with escapees who fled North Korea between 2009 and 2020, highlighting the extreme measures taken against those consuming South Korean entertainment. Amnesty International emphasized that citizens, including schoolchildren, are facing public executions, labor camps, or public humiliation for engaging with foreign media content.
Escapes from North Korea have become increasingly rare since 2020 due to Covid-related border closures, further isolating the population. The Deputy Regional Director of Amnesty International, Sarah Brooks, condemned the oppressive laws enforced by North Korea, stating that access to external information is criminalized, leading to a system of repression and corruption that disproportionately affects the less privileged.
The government’s stringent control over information has created a stifling environment for the population, restricting their exposure to outside perspectives and cultural influences. The arbitrary and unjust nature of the punitive system has drawn criticism for violating fundamental human rights principles and international standards of justice, prompting calls for its dismantling.
