1776Reporting
North Korea’s supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, has intensified his control over personal freedoms by mandating that divorcing couples be sent to labor camps. This new directive aims to label divorce as an “anti-socialist” act, with offenders serving up to six months in punishment.
Divorce as a “Crime Against Society”
Previously, only the spouse who initiated the divorce faced punishment. Even in cases of physical abuse, the one filing for divorce bore the consequences, according to a source from inside the secretive nation. However, recent changes ensure both parties will now be imprisoned after a divorce is finalized.
“I went to the Kimjongsuk County People’s Court … where 12 people received divorce decrees,” a resident from Ryanggang province told Radio Free Asia (RFA). “Immediately after the verdict, they were transferred to the county labour training camp.”
A Surge in Divorce Rates
Since 2020, divorce rates in North Korea have reportedly surged. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the country, plunging it into deeper economic hardship and making it nearly impossible for many families to sustain themselves. These challenging conditions placed immense strain on marriages, leading to an increase in separations.
In response to this rise, the government began targeting divorcees with punitive measures. “Until last year, when a couple divorced, only the person who first filed for divorce was sent to a labour training camp,” the resident explained. “Starting this month, all divorced couples will be sent to labour training camps.”
A Campaign to Prevent Divorce
The North Korean government has also rolled out public education campaigns aimed specifically at discouraging women from seeking divorces. These campaigns emphasize traditional family roles and loyalty to the state, reinforcing the regime’s stance that personal choices should align with socialist ideals.
An Escalating Climate of Control
Kim Jong-un’s regime continues to tighten its grip on even the most personal aspects of citizens’ lives. Divorce, once an option for individuals seeking relief from abusive or unsustainable relationships, has now become a crime punishable by forced labor. This crackdown highlights the broader social and political environment in North Korea, where individual freedoms are consistently suppressed in the name of ideology.
By framing divorce as a betrayal of socialist values, the regime not only exerts control over relationships but also deters dissent, ensuring loyalty to its oppressive system. For many North Koreans, even the personal choice to end a marriage now comes with an unimaginable price.
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