North Korea’s Contradiction: Future Generation vs. Child Forced Labor

North Korea’s Emphasis on the “Future Generation” Contradicts the Issue of Child Forced Labor, Urgent Attention Needed from the International Community

North Korea, while emphasizing the importance of nurturing the “future generation,” is facing criticism for the serious problem of child forced labor. According to Kim Won-sik, a researcher at the National Security Strategy Institute, this issue requires urgent attention from the international community.

Prevalence of Child Forced Labor in North Korea

According to a report from the Ministry of Unification, child forced labor takes various forms in North Korea, extending beyond agricultural activities included in the curriculum. The investigation reveals that middle and high school students involved in rural mobilization experience excessive competition and long working hours.

Not only during school hours, but after-school labor and labor mobilization by teachers have become normalized, posing a threat to the rights to education and health of children. The report highlights diverse forms of child forced labor, including activities such as cabbage planting, potato harvesting, and participation in construction projects, depending on the region.

Furthermore, children from orphanages and economically vulnerable families are sent to dangerous construction sites, putting their lives at risk. Testimonies have reported accidents such as getting lost in the mountains or being swept away by rapids.

Call for International Attention and Improvement of Child Rights

Kim Won-sik emphasizes the need for the international community to raise awareness and take action to address the issue of child forced labor in North Korea. He argues that this would significantly improve the rights of children within the country. Additionally, he points out that North Korea has shown a relatively cooperative attitude towards issues of child, women, and disabled rights by ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and accepting recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Enhancing Awareness for Improved Child Rights in North Korea

The emphasis on nurturing the “future generation” in North Korea is overshadowed by the serious issue of child forced labor. The Ministry of Unification’s report highlights the prevalence of various forms of child forced labor beyond agricultural activities in North Korea’s education system. It reveals that middle and high school students involved in rural mobilization face excessive competition and long working hours.

After-school labor and labor mobilization by teachers have become normalized, posing a threat to children’s rights to education and health. The report also emphasizes the risks faced by children from orphanages and economically vulnerable families who are sent to construction sites. Accidents, such as getting lost in the mountains or being swept away by rapids, have been reported.

Kim Won-sik argues that the international community must address the issue of child forced labor in North Korea to significantly improve children’s rights. He suggests that this can be achieved by utilizing North Korea’s relatively cooperative attitude towards child, women, and disabled rights issues.

South Korea’s Role and Opportunities for Progress

South Korea’s participation in the UN Security Council and the upcoming Universal Periodic Review provide an opportunity to increase pressure on North Korea to improve child rights. By raising awareness and resolving the issue of child forced labor, significant progress can be made in guaranteeing the rights and welfare of children in North Korea.

Source: Dong-A Ilbo