- Rich Text
Border Security Command is responsible for patrolling the northern border region. Guards may search and arrest individuals on the spot if there is a suspicion of their having crossed, or intending to cross, the border without authorisation. As far as cases related to religious freedom violations are concerned, these guards do not play a specialised role but have been documented as arresting and subjecting those who are caught in possession of Bibles to torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Where there is a need for further investigation and processing of an individual after an arrest, suspects are handed over to other enforcement authorities by Border Security Command.
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of Public Security
- Geolocation
- 41° 25′ 14″ N, 128° 11′ 21″ E
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation
- 41° 47′ 57″ N, 129° 46′ 34″ E
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Responsible to organisation
- Other North Korean organisation
- Geolocation
- 41° 47′ 24″ N, 129° 46′ 5″ E
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation
- 41° 49′ 59″ N, 129° 43′ 49″ E
- Responsible to organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation
- 42° 12′ 35″ N, 129° 45′ 14″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Executed
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Chongjin City Sunam Market: 41° 47′ 24″ N, 129° 46′ 5″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 60-69
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious activities in China, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Transferred to further penal facility
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security, Ministry of Public Security
- Geolocation of violations
- North Hamgyong Provincial MPS Holding Centre: 41° 44′ 17″ N, 129° 43′ 22″ E
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- No
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Association with organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Rank
- Private
- Age range
- 30-39
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E3) is a male aged in his 20s in 2004. He had a slim build and was 160cm tall. He wore 1 epaulet on one shoulder and 1 epaulet on the collar. Neither epaulet had a star. The perpetrator kicked E312 in the stomach and struck E312's body. He verbally abused E312 by calling her “Bitch” and used other sexually degrading verbal abuse. The perpetrator was witnessed by E312 physically and verbally assaulting other victims. Certain information is withheld for the victim’s safety.
- Victims of violation
- E312
- Geolocation of violations perpetrated
- North Hamgyong Provincial MPS Holding Centre: 41° 44′ 17″ N, 129° 43′ 22″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 30-39
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of fair trial , Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Denial of right to life
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Executed
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Hyesan Market: 41° 23′ 56″ N, 128° 9′ 50″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Religious activities in China
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Detained
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Onsong County MSS Detention Centre: 42° 57′ 34″ N, 129° 59′ 16″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Possessing religious items, Religious activities in China, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Onsong County MSS Detention Centre: 42° 57′ 34″ N, 129° 59′ 16″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Possessing religious items, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Onsong County MSS Detention Centre: 42° 57′ 34″ N, 129° 59′ 16″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Attending a place of worship, Religious activities in China
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Group of victims
- Yes
- Age ranges for group of victims
- 40-59
- Number of victims in group
- 6
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Forced abortion, Withheld
- Association with organisation
- Other North Korean organisation
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E10) is a named male doctor who induced an abortion of E348 in Kyongwon County Hospital at a named date in 2008. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Victims of violation
- E348
- Geolocation of violations perpetrated
- Kyongwon County Hospital: 42° 48′ 32″ N, 130° 11′ 60″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 50-59
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Attending a place of worship, Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Executed
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Chongori Re-education Camp (No.12): 42° 12′ 35″ N, 129° 45′ 14″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious activities in China, Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- North Hamgyong Provincial MSS Detention Centre: 41° 47′ 48″ N, 129° 47′ 54″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 30-39
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Hyesan City MSS Detention Centre: 41° 24′ 14″ N, 128° 10′ 52″ ERyanggang Provincial MSS Detention Centre: 41° 23′ 41″ N, 128° 11′ 5″ E
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Association with organisation
- Other North Korean organisation
- Age range
- 50-59
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E15) is a named male aged in his 50s in 2007. He was a ranking official at Ryanggang Provincial Prosecution Bureau and has since been promoted to a known rank in a known location. The perpetrator oversaw the interrogation of suspects suspected of shamanism and perpetrated violations against E448. The perpetrator conducted interrogations of E448 alone in a room between 01:00-02:00 for 15 days. When E448 denied an allegation, the perpetrator physically struck the victim and yanked their hair. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Geolocation of violations perpetrated
- Ryanggang Provincial Prosecution Office: 41° 23′ 56″ N, 128° 10′ 33″ E
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Sexual violence including rape , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment , Withheld
- Association with organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Rank
- Captain (Taewi)
- Age range
- 40-49
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E16) is a named male aged in his 40s in 2007. The perpetrator undertook sexually assault. The perpetrator was a ranking official at Ryanggang Provincial MPS pre-trial detention centre. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Geolocation of violations perpetrated
- Ryanggang Provincial MPS Detention Centre: 41° 23′ 45″ N, 128° 10′ 48″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Other , Religious activities in China, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Ryanggang Provincial MSS Holding Centre: 41° 24′ 14″ N, 128° 10′ 52″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 0-10
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Group of victims
- Yes
- Age ranges for group of victims
- Unknown
- Number of victims in group
- 6
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Forms of torture experienced
- Forced abortion
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 11-19
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Meeting Hall of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea: 39° 1′ 23″ N, 125° 46′ 41″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Other , Unidentified religious activities
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Detained
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Withheld
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Border Security Command
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Association with organisation
- Border Security Command
- Age range
- Unknown
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E25) was a male. The perpetrator was a ranking official at Border Security Command and arrested E455. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Victims of violation
- E23
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Forms of torture experienced
- Beating with fists or feet
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Hyesan City MPS Detention Centre: 41° 23′ 44″ N, 128° 9′ 52″ E
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Association with organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Age range
- Unknown
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E27) is a named male. The perpetrator physically assaulted E26 at Hyesan City MPS pre-trial detention centre in 2009. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Victims of violation
- E26
- Geolocation of violations perpetrated
- Hyesan City MPS Detention Centre: 41° 23′ 44″ N, 128° 9′ 52″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 11-19
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 60-69
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Group of victims
- Yes
- Number of victims in group
- 2
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items, Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security, Ministry of State Security
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Withheld
- Association with organisation
- Ministry of State Security
- Age range
- Unknown
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E33) is a named male. The perpetrator was a named MSS rank and conducted interrogations of persons suspected of religious practice at a named facility. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Victims of violation
- E32
- Name of perpetrator retained?
- Yes
- Nationality
- North Korean
- Gender
- Male
- Violations perpetrated
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Withheld
- Association with organisation
- Ministry of People's Security
- Age range
- Unknown
- Condensed summary
The perpetrator (E34) is a named male. The perpetrator was a named MPS rank and conducted interrogations of persons suspected of religious practice at a named facility. Certain information is withheld for the safety of the victim’s family.
- Victims of violation
- E32
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 20-29
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Forms of torture experienced
- Beating with fists or feet
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 50-59
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Other
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Detained
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Kimjongsuk (Sinpa) County MSS Office: 41° 24′ 55″ N, 127° 46′ 37″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 30-39
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Possessing religious items, Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Death in custody
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Religious or belief association
- Shamanism
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 50-59
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Samjiyon County MPS Detention Centre: 41° 48′ 21″ N, 128° 19′ 49″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 50-59
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Religious activities in China
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security, Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Ryanggang Provincial MSS Holding Centre: 41° 24′ 14″ N, 128° 10′ 52″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Attending a place of worship, Religious practice
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Forms of torture experienced
- Beating with fists or feet
- Status
- Unknown
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Ryanggang Provincial MSS Holding Centre: 41° 24′ 14″ N, 128° 10′ 52″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- 40-49
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Possessing religious items
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Executed
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Samjiyon County Hospital: 41° 48′ 40″ N, 128° 19′ 1″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- 30-39
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Contact with religious persons, Religious activities in China
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief , Torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Forms of torture experienced
- Deprivation of medical assistance
- Status
- Death in custody
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Chongjin City Susong Political Prison Camp (No.25): 41° 49′ 59″ N, 129° 43′ 49″ E
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Male
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Attending a place of worship, Religious activities in China
- Violations experienced
- Denial of right to life, Refoulement
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Executed
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of People's Security
- Religious or belief association
- Christianity
- Gender
- Female
- Age range
- Unknown
- Reason for deprivation of liberty
- Attending a place of worship, Sharing religious beliefs
- Violations experienced
- Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, Denial of freedom of religion or belief
- Forms of torture experienced
- N/A
- Status
- Released from all facilities
- Identity of perpetrating organisations
- Ministry of State Security
- Geolocation of violations
- Ryanggang Provincial MSS Holding Centre: 41° 24′ 14″ N, 128° 10′ 52″ E