Kim Jong-un Enforces Harsh Punishments for Divorcing Couples
Kim Jong-un Enforces Harsh Punishments for Divorcing Couples:- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has introduced strict new measures targeting divorcing couples, reportedly sentencing them to labor camps for up to six months. Women, however, may face longer durations of imprisonment compared to their male counterparts.
These new rules, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA), reflect a significant escalation in the country’s approach to divorce. Kim has allegedly labeled the dissolution of marriages as an expression of anti-socialist sentiments, deeming it punishable under the law.
Previously, North Korea’s legal system primarily targeted the individual who initiated the divorce proceedings, even in instances involving abuse. However, under the updated regulations, both parties face incarceration once the divorce is finalized.
A Harsh Reality for Divorcees
A resident of Ryanggang province shared their experience with RFA, recounting a visit to the Kimjongsuk County People’s Court where 12 individuals received divorce rulings.
“Immediately after the court’s decision, they were taken to the county labor training camp,” the resident said. “In the past, only the person filing for the divorce would be sent to the camp. This month, all divorced couples are being imprisoned.”
In North Korea, divorce is perceived as not only a challenge to socialist values but also as a betrayal of traditional Confucian principles, which heavily influence societal expectations in both Koreas.
Pandemic Pressures
RFA noted that divorce rates in North Korea surged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the financial and emotional strain of lockdowns. While official statistics on divorce rates are unavailable, the social stigma and punitive measures have not significantly curbed separations, despite increased government crackdowns.
Citizens who divorce may also face public shaming and the possibility of being expelled from the Korean Workers’ Party.
“My brother got divorced after three years of marriage,” one resident revealed. “His wife filed the divorce papers and received a ruling. She was sentenced to six months in a labor camp, while he was given just one month.”
Conditions in Labor Camps
Another woman who had previously served time in one of the facilities described the grim realities faced by divorcees.
“There are about 80 women and 40 men in the county labor training camp,” she said. “Of them, roughly 30 were imprisoned due to divorce, and the women’s sentences tend to be longer.”
This harsh policy reflects North Korea’s rigid stance on maintaining marriage as a cornerstone of its socialist and cultural fabric.
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