Amnesty International has released testimonies from North Korean defectors revealing that individuals, including schoolchildren, face severe punishments—including execution—for consuming South Korean television shows and K-pop music under Kim Jong-un’s regime.
The human rights organization interviewed 25 escapees who described how watching popular series such as *Squid Game* or sharing South Korean dramas and music is considered a grave offense. According to the accounts, several provinces have witnessed public executions linked to these activities. Some of those executed were reportedly students, while others have been sentenced to lengthy terms in forced labor or re-education camps.
Punishments reportedly vary based on social status and wealth; lower-income individuals are more likely to face harsh penalties, whereas those from wealthier families may evade prosecution through bribes.
These measures align with North Korea’s 2020 Anti-Reactionary Thought and Culture Act, which classifies South Korean media as “rotten ideology.” Under this law, individuals caught consuming banned content may be sentenced to up to 15 years of forced labor, and distributors risk the death penalty.
The testimony highlights the extreme risks faced by North Koreans who seek to access foreign media, underscoring the regime’s strict control over information and cultural influence.
