Jakarta – The North Korean government imposes severe penalties on married couples who divorce. According to a report by Radio Free Asia, Wednesday (12/18/2024), they are sent to forced labor camps to atone for their ‘crime’ for a period of one to six months.
In North Korea, divorce is considered an antisocial act. Moreover, communist countries like North Korea adhere to Confucianism. Marriage is considered eternal until the end of life for the couple, with no room for divorce.
Previously, only the husband or wife who filed for divorce would receive punishment. However, the North Korean government has decided that both will serve their sentences together after their divorce.
A resident from North Ryanggang Province gave his testimony to Radio Free Asia. He witnessed how the former spouses were taken to a labor camp after being officially divorced at the courthouse.
“I went to the Kim Jong Suk County People’s Court… 12 people received divorce decrees. “Immediately after the divorce decree, they were transferred to a labor camp in the county,” revealed a resident of North Ryanggang Province, who requested anonymity for safety reasons.
Furthermore, he revealed that divorces in North Korea have surged rapidly since 2020. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea implemented a lockdown and most families struggled to make a living. Poor financial conditions have become the reason many married couples are getting divorced.
To prevent couples from divorcing during difficult times, the North Korean government has begun imposing severe penalties.
“Until last year, when a married couple divorced, only the person who filed for the divorce would be sent to a labor camp.” Starting this month, all couples who divorce will be sent to forced labor camps,” the source explained.
Previously on Thursday (30/3/2023), Radio Free Asia reported how the North Korean government was shaken by the high divorce rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. They launched a campaign specifically targeting women. There are classes given through the Socialist Women’s Union.
The theme of the classes given by the largest women’s organization in North Korea is, “Let’s completely eliminate the phenomenon of divorce and build harmonious families, becoming the cells of society.”
In order to prevent divorce, parents who have become widows and widowers are also publicly shamed. However, the campaign did not significantly reduce the divorce rate. The North Korean government has issued a harsher threat.
Divorce can be a reason for an official to be expelled from the Workers’ Party of Korea. They will also lose all their privileges. Including access to education, housing, and better jobs.
Radio Free Asia also obtained a statement from a widow who had just completed a three-month sentence in a labor camp in South Pyongan Province. She revealed that women receive harsher punishments compared to men. “There are about 80 women and 40 men imprisoned in the local labor camp. About 30 men and women are imprisoned due to divorce rulings, and women’s sentences are longer.”
He revealed that North Korean couples who divorce are usually in their 30s. This is triggered by domestic violence committed by the husband against the wife due to financial problems.
There are special considerations given by the North Korean government to widows who are raising small children. They have to commute to the military camp every day so they can take care of their children at night.
