Society

Since 2020, the number of divorces in North Korea has been rising steadily, causing great concern to the country's authorities. 

Daily life in North Korea is marked by the rigidity of the ruling power. Deprivation, rules and sanctions reign terror over the territory, where the inhabitants have entered into a form of permanent struggle. Since 2011, and the arrival of Kim Jong-un at the head of North Korea, the country has experienced major crises, including a famine in 2020. Today, food insecurity and poverty are still central concerns, despite obvious social progress (efficient medical network, universal education system...).

This is a precarious situation that's undeniably disrupting the lives of North Korean families. With little hope in sight, many couples are breaking up. To curb the phenomenon, Pyongyang has just revised its legislation: from now on, a separation requires the agreement of both spouses to be validated by a court of law, reports  La Dépêche. To combat the rise in divorce rates, the authorities have opted for repressive measures: men and women who decide to break the bonds of marriage are taken to labor camps for a period of one to six months. This is to atone for their “crimes”, according to testimonies gathered by Radio Free Asia.

One woman, who was recently released from a labor camp, confides that women are systematically punished more severely than men. She points out that separations are often due to financial difficulties, which can lead to domestic violence. As the first victims of such violence, and therefore the first to initiate divorce proceedings, women are subject to harsher penalties. 

(MH with AsD - Source : La Dépêche - Illustration : Pixabay)