While the world’s attention is often captured by North Korea’s provocative displays of military power – most recently, the launch of ten ballistic missiles on March 14, 2026, as reported by Reuters – a far more insidious crisis continues to unfold largely unnoticed: the systematic and severe human rights abuses endured by the North Korean people. This ongoing suffering demands sustained international attention, not as a separate concern, but as an integral part of any strategy to address the security challenges posed by Pyongyang.
On March 13, Elizabeth Salmón, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, underscored the urgency of this often-overlooked issue. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, Salmón stated that North Korea’s human rights situation “had showed no improvement and, in many instances, had degraded” over the past decade. Her assessment serves as a stark reminder that the hardships faced by ordinary North Koreans are not merely a byproduct of the regime’s isolationist policies, but a deliberate and calculated component of its control.
Salmón, a Peruvian legal scholar and professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, was appointed to the role in August 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position, according to the OHCHR. Her annual report to the Human Rights Council proposes measurable indicators to track North Korea’s implementation of recommendations stemming from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a UN process that assesses the human rights records of all member states. This focus on accountability is crucial, as past commitments from Pyongyang have rarely translated into tangible improvements on the ground.
A Tightening Grip on Freedom of Movement
One of the most alarming trends documented in Salmón’s report is the continued erosion of freedom of movement within North Korea. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the regime has dramatically increased restrictions on both internal and external travel. Human Rights Watch reports expanded border fences, the construction of new guard posts, and intensified enforcement of domestic travel permit requirements. These measures are coupled with a chilling policy of shoot-on-sight orders for anyone attempting to leave the country without authorization, effectively turning the borders into deadly barriers.
The consequences of these restrictions are devastating. In 2025, only 223 North Koreans managed to reach South Korea, a significant decrease from previous years, according to data from the Ministry of Unification in South Korea. Those who are caught attempting to flee face severe repercussions, including torture, imprisonment, and forced labor. The case of a North Korean woman currently detained in China, facing potential repatriation, highlights the immense risks taken by those desperate enough to seek freedom, as reported by Human Rights Watch. She is at risk of facing these abuses simply for attempting to reunite with her family.
Forced Labor and the Erosion of Workers’ Rights
The situation regarding the right to work is equally concerning. Pyongyang has rejected all recommendations made during the UPR process concerning forced labor. The 2025 Labour Management Act, as highlighted in Salmón’s report, effectively codifies state-directed forced labor by assigning individuals to workplaces, stripping them of any meaningful choice in their employment. This system not only violates fundamental labor rights but also contributes to the regime’s economic stability, allowing it to fund its weapons programs and maintain its grip on power.
The Intertwined Nature of Security and Human Rights
These human rights abuses may appear disconnected from North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and missile tests, but the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and numerous UN findings have consistently demonstrated a clear link between the two. The country’s pursuit of weapons of mass destruction has been fueled by a system of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, forced labor, and severe restrictions on information and movement. The regime relies on these abuses to suppress dissent, maintain control, and generate revenue.
As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged, addressing North Korea’s human rights record is not simply a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity. Salmón herself emphasized that human rights should be “an opening for engagement” and placed at the center of any future dialogue with North Korea. Ignoring the plight of the North Korean people only serves to perpetuate the cycle of repression and instability.
The Path Forward: Accountability and Support
The international community must take concrete steps to address this crisis. The Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, ensuring continued monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in North Korea. Governments should increase financial support for non-governmental organizations working to document abuses and provide assistance to those affected, particularly in light of recent US funding cuts. Crucially, efforts must be made to advance accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations, including exploring options such as referral to the International Criminal Court and pursuing prosecutions in other countries using the UN’s repository of evidence.
The High Commissioner has urged states to pursue accountability, including referral to the International Criminal Court and prosecutions in other countries using the UN’s repository of evidence in fair and independent proceedings. The situation demands a comprehensive and sustained response, one that recognizes the inextricable link between security and human rights on the Korean Peninsula. The next key checkpoint will be the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, where the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate will be considered.
Here’s a critical moment to reaffirm our commitment to the people of North Korea and to demand an end to the systematic abuses they endure. Share this article to raise awareness and encourage action.
