North Korea
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- dictatorial communist state
- CONSTITUTION
- adopted in 1948, revised numerous times, most recently in 2009
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on the German, Japanese systems and inspired by communist legal doctrine
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Central Court, judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly
RELIGIONS
majority Buddhist and Confucian; minority Christian and others
From the country
OCTOBER 11, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: KIM SHOWED OFF EXECUTED UNCLE'S HEADLESS BODY, TRUMP SAID
The headless body of Kim Jong Un’s executed uncle was displayed to senior North Korean officials, U.S. President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming book on the U.S. president, Afp reported on 12 September 2020.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: SIX PUBLICLY EXECUTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING FOUR OFFICIALS
North Korea on 20 July 2020 publicly executed six people, including four party officials, for their involvement in a prostitution ring that sold sex with female students of prestigious performing arts universities, sources in the country told RFA.
- SEPTEMBER 14, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: FIVE OFFICIALS EXECUTED FOR CRITICISING KIM JONG-UN'S ECONOMIC POLICIES
North Korea on 30 July 2020 executed five government officials after they spoke out against the regime's economic policies, it has been reported.
- MAY 25, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: COUPLE EXECUTED FOR TRYING TO ESCAPE TO SOUTH DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY
North Korean authorities earlier this month executed a husband and wife for attempting to flee the country during the COVID-19 national emergency quarantine, sources in the country told RFA.
MAY 12, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: BUSINESSMAN EXECUTED FOR REFUSING TO BUY GOV’T BONDS
The owner of mine shafts in a suburban area of Pyongyang who refused to buy government bonds was recently arrested and quietly executed, Daily NK has learned.
- MAY 11, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY PREVAILS IN NORTH KOREA, WHITE PAPER SAYS
Capital punishment is still widespread in North Korea, but public executions and other forms of severe punishment could be receding, according to a South Korean report.
MAY 9, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: CHAGANG PROVINCE FORESTRY OFFICIAL EXECUTED FOR ILLEGAL CORN FARM
The head of a local forest management office in Chagang Province was recently executed for removing saplings from state-owned land and planting corn in their place, Daily NK reported on 16 April 2020.
- APRIL 8, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: THREE OFFICIALS EXECUTED FOR THEFT OF EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIES
Authorities in North Korea executed without trial three high-ranking officials last week on charges of treason, for allegedly stealing food from the country’s strategic supply and selling it on the open market amid skyrocketing prices resulting from the o
MARCH 24, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: SMUGGLER EXECUTED AFTER CROSSING SINO-NORTH KOREAN BORDER
A smuggler in his 50s was recently executed in North Pyongan Province, sources told Daily NK earlier in March 2020.
- FEBRUARY 14, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: OFFICIAL REPORTEDLY EXECUTED FOR BREAKING CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE
A North Korean official who returned from China has reportedly been executed for going to a public bath in violation of his Coronavirus quarantine, the Dong-a Ilbo news outlet in South Korea reported on 13 February 2020.
- JANUARY 1, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
- JUNE 5, 2019North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
SUPPOSEDLY EXECUTED FORMER NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR ENVOY IS ALIVE: CNN
North Korea’s nuclear envoy, who a South Korean newspaper said last week had been executed, is alive but in custody and under investigation for his role in a failed summit with the United States, CNN reported on 4 June 2019.