North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has introduced stringent new measures targeting divorcing couples, mandating their detention in labour camps for up to six months. The controversial policy is reportedly aimed at suppressing what Kim considers anti-socialist behaviour and reinforcing traditional societal values.
Harsh punishments for divorce
Previously, only the spouse initiating the divorce faced punitive measures, even in cases of domestic abuse. However, under the new regulations, both partners are sent to labour training camps immediately after a divorce is finalised.
A resident from Ryanggang province revealed to Radio Free Asia (RFA):
“I went to the Kimjongsuk County People’s Court, where 12 people received divorce decrees. Immediately after the verdict, they were transferred to the county labour training camp. Until last year, only the person who filed for divorce was punished. Starting this month, all divorced couples will be sent to labour training camps.”
An attack on socialism and tradition
Kim Jong-un has labelled divorce as an affront to socialist principles and Confucian values, which remain deeply ingrained in both North and South Korean cultures. The government views the dissolution of marriages as undermining family stability and social cohesion.
The move to criminalise divorce further reflects the regime’s tightening grip on personal freedoms and its intolerance for perceived deviations from ideological norms.
The impact of economic strain
RFA reports that the increase in divorce rates coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated financial pressures on families during extended lockdowns. Despite the new threat of punishment, divorce rates have not significantly decreased, suggesting that economic hardship continues to drive marital breakdowns.
One resident recounted a family experience:
“My brother divorced after three years of marriage. His wife submitted the application to the court and received a divorce ruling. She was sent to a labour camp for six months, while he has to do one month.”
Life in labour camps
Those imprisoned for divorce face harsh conditions in North Korea’s labour training camps. A woman who spent time in one such facility described the gender imbalance in sentencing, noting that women are often detained for longer periods.
“There are about 80 women and 40 men imprisoned in the county labour training camp. About 30 men and women were imprisoned due to divorce decrees, and the women’s sentences were longer,” she said.
Divorced individuals are also subjected to public humiliation and risk expulsion from the Korean Workers’ Party, further ostracising them from society.
Broader implications
The crackdown on divorce underscores the authoritarian nature of Kim Jong-un’s regime, where personal choices are subordinated to state ideology. This policy follows a pattern of extreme measures to control societal behaviour, ranging from restrictions on foreign media consumption to mandatory participation in state-sanctioned activities.
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The targeting of divorcees also aligns with North Korea’s historical emphasis on collective identity over individual rights. By punishing divorce, the regime reinforces its narrative of unyielding loyalty to the state and traditional values.
International reactions
While data on North Korean divorce rates is scarce, reports of punitive measures have drawn condemnation from human rights organisations. Critics argue that the policy further entrenches systemic gender inequality, as women disproportionately bear the brunt of the regime’s harsh punishments.
Observers also highlight the stark contrast between North Korea’s treatment of divorce and global trends towards recognising individual freedoms and marital autonomy.
Outlook
Kim Jong-un’s latest edict on divorce reflects an intensification of state control over private lives, with grave consequences for those who challenge societal norms. The policy is likely to exacerbate the already difficult lives of ordinary North Koreans, particularly women, who often face harsher penalties.
As the regime continues to wield its authoritarian grip, the prospect of reform or relief for affected citizens appears increasingly remote. This latest move serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which the North Korean leadership will go to enforce its vision of a controlled and ideologically compliant society.
