North Korea's Harsh New Measures Against Divorce
In a troubling development for personal freedoms in North Korea, couples seeking divorce are now facing severe penalties, including mandatory sentences to labor camps. Reports from Radio Free Asia (RFA) indicate that the North Korean government has implemented a policy that subjects both spouses to one to six months of forced labor following a divorce. This shift in policy comes amid a rising trend of divorces in the country, particularly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated economic hardships and strained relationships.
Residents from the northern province of Ryanggang have shared their experiences, revealing that the Kim Jong-un regime views divorce as an "anti-socialist act." A local source recounted attending a court where multiple divorce decrees were granted, only for the newly divorced couples to be immediately transferred to a labor training camp. Previously, only the spouse who initiated the divorce faced punishment, but recent changes now penalize both parties, reflecting the regime's intensified crackdown on personal liberties.
The Gender Disparity in Divorce Sentencing
The new regulations disproportionately affect women, who are often the ones seeking divorce due to domestic violence and other factors. A report from the South Korean Ministry of Unification highlighted that 28.7% of women in North Korea are divorced compared to 15.2% of men. Anecdotal evidence suggests that women face longer sentences in labor camps than their male counterparts. One woman reported spending three months in a camp, where a significant portion of the inmates were there due to divorce-related charges.
Despite societal stigma surrounding divorce, the rates have reportedly increased since the pandemic, prompting the government to implement educational programs aimed at discouraging divorce, particularly among women. These programs include lectures by the Socialist Women's Union, emphasizing the importance of maintaining traditional family structures. Additionally, public humiliation tactics have been employed against the families of divorced individuals and workplaces with high divorce rates.
As the North Korean regime continues to tighten its grip on personal freedoms, the rising divorce rates and the harsh penalties associated with them highlight the ongoing struggle for individual rights in the country.
