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U.S. Department of State 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report - North Korea

North Korea (Tier 3)

The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK) is a source country for persons trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. The DPRK operates forced-labor prison camps to punish criminals and repatriated North Koreans. Thousands of North Korean men, women and children are forced to work and often perish under conditions of slavery. Many nations provide humanitarian assistance and food to the North Korean people, but deteriorating economic conditions continue to pressure thousands into fleeing to China, Russia and Mongolia. The North Koreans' illegal status in other nations increases their vulnerability to trafficking schemes and sexual and physical abuse.

The Government of North Korea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making efforts to do so. The Government does not recognize trafficking as a problem and imposes slave-like labor conditions on its prisoners.

Prosecution

There are no reports that the DPRK prosecutes traffickers.

Protection

The Government of North Korea makes no effort to protect trafficking victims.

Prevention

There are no reports of any government anti-trafficking efforts.

Topics: Trafficking in persons,