The state of North Korean Women's Rights
The state of North Korean Women's Rights
An International Women's Day special feature looking at the state of women's rights in the DPRK
To many, the very name “North Korea” is synonymous with human rights abuses. The North Korean human rights situation has particularly garnered attention since the 2014 UN’s Commision of Inquiry (COI) report on North Korean human rights was published. While the report uncovers a lengthy list of human rights abuses, one area that warrants closer examination is the rights of women.
Women have served as the backbone of North Korean society for a long time, especially since the famine in the 1990s resulted in the collapse of the state-run rations system. At the time, many women found a way to help themselves and their families survive by working at markets. Women’s economic power steadily grew and many soon became the main breadwinners. This trend continues till today. For instance, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, women were estimated to contribute more than 70 percent of the country’s household incomes.
Nevertheless, women’s rights in North Korea are still not guaranteed and cases of sexual violence, forced marriage, human trafficking, domestic violence, forced abortions, and other abuses are still common. Ten years after the COI report was first published, it is worth taking a closer look at women’s rights in North Korea—what has changed and what has not.
Guaranteed rights?
Despite its dismal human rights record, North Korea prides itself on being a country that champions the rights of women. Article 77 of North Korea's constitution, for example, states that "women are accorded equal social status and rights with men." The state has emphasized the role of women even before the official establishment of the country. The Women’s Union, for example, was established in 1945 and is often quoted by the government as being a key organ in furthering the rights of women in North Korean society. Many defectors, however, disagree, arguing the Union mainly serves to teach Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il thought.
After the Korean War, the North Korean government pushed women to become actively involved in nation-building to restore the country and construct a powerful socialist state. By using films and literature, the government emphasized the achievements of heroic female workers and urged women to take up work, especially in light industry. Daycare centers and kindergartens were built for women to be able to work during the day instead of having to be at home to watch their children.
Over the years, the North Korean government has also established numerous laws related to the rights of women. Legally—at least on paper— women have equal economic, social, cultural, and political rights as men, they have equal rights to vote and to be elected for local and state supreme organs, equal rights with men to labor and education, and they enjoy equal rights in marriage and divorce.
In particular, North Korea in 2010 introduced the Law on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Women. According to the law, the state ensures the full equality of women with men and prohibits all forms of discrimination against women. The law also contains various provisions related to crimes against women such as rape, abduction, trafficking, domestic violence, and other forms of violence and assault. Despite defector testimonies suggesting weak enforcement of the law in various areas, the establishment of the law does represent a positive step towards the advancement of women's rights in North Korea.
Ongoing abuse
There are various ways through which North Korean women continue to suffer in terms of human rights violations. For instance, domestic violence remains a problem, with some saying it is “so common that it is taken for granted and treated as a private family matter.” According to a 2022 People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE) report, all female defectors interviewed said domestic violence is still common practice in many North Korean households. Even if such incidents are reported to the police, defectors say authorities usually don’t do much and little to no legal support is given to female victims.
Sexual violence against women also remains a serious issue in North Korea. For example, public officers often demand sexual intercourse in return for favors, women are often sexually violated during inspections or search and seizures by officials, female detainees have to undergo strip searches and are often raped, and sexual exploitation against women in the military is also common.
Forced abortions are yet another human rights violation many North Korean women go through. In particular, when repatriated women are found to be pregnant, they are usually forced to undergo an abortion. Infanticide is also known to take place. If repatriated women are in late-term of pregnancy, the baby is killed after it is born in order to maintain a “pure” Korean ethnicity and to punish North Korean women for betraying their country.
The issue of forced repatriation is an issue that has particularly received close attention, especially in recent years. If North Korean women are arrested in China, they are held in detention, undergo interrogation, and are subsequently transferred to the border for repatriation to North Korea. Within North Korea, they are subjected to further, intense investigations under poor conditions and then may face trial or administrative punishment. These women suffer numerous human rights abuses throughout the repatriation and investigation process, including sexual violence, strip searches, and forced abortions, as mentioned above.
In addition, women in North Korea also face discrimination in the education system. In particular, most opportunities for good careers after school are mainly open to those with money and a good family background. Besides this, teachers often tend to favor male students. Many girls reportedly don’t see the need in education since their career options are set by the state (most will receive state-assigned jobs). For example, many girls living in rural areas are being sent to study agriculture in order to improve the country’s food production, meaning they are not able to study what they want. Moreover, even if girls boast high academic achievements, most are not given the opportunity to enroll in advanced classes designed for graduate studies, such as master’s or doctoral programs.
Another struggle North Korean women face relates to labor rights. Although most workers at markets are women, such economic activities have not received official recognition and have been excluded from state protection for 30 years—meaning they are not protected by any labor laws. As a result, women are frequently exposed to personal damage if they fail to respond well against illegal activities such as bribes, frauds, and blackmail. Moreover, many women working in the marketplace are exposed to occupational hazards, physical injury, bullying by authorities and market officials, and sexual violence.
Is change possible?
In order for the human rights situation of North Korean women to markedly and sustainably improve, more must be done by the international community. Although the rights of North Korean women continue to be severely curtailed, a significant level of awareness on the issue has been raised globally thanks to the work of various brave NGOs, the UN, activists, and North Korean escapees themselves.
For this awareness to continue and deepen, the world must maintain a steadfast commitment to human rights advocacy in North Korea. Fostering greater international awareness through media coverage and support for organizations advocating for North Korean women's rights can also continue to bring attention to this issue.
Rather than focusing mainly on sanctions and condemning rhetoric—which has not done much to improve the lives of ordinary North Koreans over the past decade—engagement with North Korean officials through dialogue via international platforms like the UN is critical. North Korea regularly submits reports to various UN agencies and continues to regularly maintain communication with UN officials. With inter-Korean diplomacy and US-DPRK ties at a stalemate, it is crucial to leverage the few communication channels still in place with North Korea.
Supporting educational initiatives and providing resources for women's empowerment programs within North Korea, albeit challenging given the government’s restrictions, could also lay the groundwork for gradual change. Humanitarian aid programs targeted specifically at improving women's access to healthcare and economic opportunities can also make a significant impact.
More can and should be done to support North Korean women living in one of the most oppressive states in the world. Until the day when North Korean women’s rights are fully respected and upheld in practice, continued advocacy, aid, and communication with key actors will remain paramount.
Not unlike other pieces, this is another one of those analytical and keenly researched pieces, that provides one with a better view of the DPRK. Each of the alphabets hides their dark secrets.