North Korea is reportedly expanding the number of crimes punishable by death.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the regime of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has increased the list of offenses warranting the death penalty from 11 to 16 through revisions in the criminal law.
The newly included offenses include anti-state propaganda, illegal manufacturing, and the illicit use of weapons.
These legal changes were introduced through multiple amendments made between May 2022 and December 2023, as reported by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU).
Human rights groups have long been concerned about North Korea’s use of the death penalty. The country’s closed nature makes it difficult to track its exact usage, but defectors have testified about the frequent harsh punishments.
In 2020, a law was passed making the consumption and distribution of South Korean media punishable by death due to its “reactionary” and “counter-revolutionary” nature.
Other so-called “reactionary” behaviors that are reportedly punished include wearing foreign fashion items like white wedding dresses, blue jeans, or sunglasses. South Korean slang terms are also said to be banned in written communication.
Beyond the death penalty, other severe punishments for anti-social behavior include prison camps and forced re-education.
These stricter criminal codes aim to tighten Kim’s control over the population by maintaining dominance over the marketplace and the military.
Earlier this month, North Korea vowed to advance its weapons development and enhance its nuclear capabilities.
Kim Jong Un made these remarks during a state event marking the 76th anniversary of the country.
He stated, “The obvious conclusion is that the DPRK’s nuclear force, along with its capacity to ensure state security, should be more thoroughly perfected.”
“DPRK” stands for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Kim also warned that increased U.S. involvement in the region has driven the regime to pursue more powerful weapons as a deterrent.
He said, “The DPRK will steadily strengthen its nuclear force to fully counter any threatening actions by nuclear-armed rival states and will intensify efforts to ensure all of its armed forces, including the nuclear force, are combat-ready.”
Last year, North Korea’s legislative body, the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, amended the constitution to enshrine nuclear weaponization as a key national principle.
