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
MAY 17, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: ANOTHER PURGE OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS
following the reported high-profile execution of Army chief Hyon Yong-chol, a source said a small number of follow-up purges had engulfed other top ranking officials who were close to Hyon.
MAY 13, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: DEFENSE MINISTER HYON YONG CHOL EXECUTED – S. KOREAN INTELLIGENCE
The No. 2 leader of North Korea’s military was recently executed as a “traitor” for showing disrespect for its top leader, Kim Jong-un, South Korean intelligence officials told lawmakers in Seoul.
MAY 7, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: OFFICIAL SAYS REPORT KIM ORDERED EXECUTIONS 'MALICIOUS SLANDER'
A North Korean official denounced a report by South Korea's spy agency that leader Kim Jong Un had
- APRIL 29, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG UN EXECUTED 15 OFFICIALS
The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) told the South Korean National Assembly that Kim
- JANUARY 1, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
DECEMBER 12, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: REFUGEES PARADED IN PYONGYANG, IN A BID TO REFUTE EXECUTION RUMORS
the North Korean regime held a news conference in Pyongyang with nine people it said were the young
- DECEMBER 2, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: DEFECTORS EXECUTED OR SENT TO LABOR CAMP
South Korean newspaper The Dong-A Ilbo reported Park Sun-young, chairman of civic group Dream
- OCTOBER 28, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG-UN PURGED MANY OFFICIALS AMONG FEARS THEY HAVE BEEN KILLED, SOUTH KOREA’S MEDIA SAID
South Korea's Yonhap News agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had purged about 10 officials of his ruling Workers’ Party for watching South Korean soap operas. Yonhap did not specify how or when the action was taken.
OCTOBER 4, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTYNORTH KOREA: NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM DETAINED AND SCHEDULED FOR EXECUTION AFTER LOSS TO SOUTH KOREA
the official newspaper of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Rodong Sinmun, reported that Kim
- MAY 25, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: KEY OFFICIALS AND ENGINEERS EXECUTED OVER APARTMENT COLLAPSE
the Tokyo Shimbun daily reported that North Korea had deported or executed several officials and
- MAY 22, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: HYESAN MAN EXECUTED AS EXAMPLE FOR REST
The death sentence has been imposed upon at least one person caught making phone contact with South Korea from a location near the Sino-North Korean border, Daily NK has learned via detailed, exclusive testimony from a source in the region.
- MAY 21, 2014North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
NORTH KOREA: HARSH PUNISHMENTS FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENCES ADDED TO CRIMINAL CODE
the Daily NK revealed that the North Korean authorities had added five extra clauses to Article 60 of the country's criminal code, which pertains to attempts to overthrow the state.