A recent report by Transitional Justice Working Group sheds light on the severe punishments carried out in North Korea, with incidents such as prisoners being fatally beaten with a hammer and a pregnant woman being shot. The report delves into 144 documented cases of executions and death sentences, revealing a notable increase during the Covid-19 pandemic period.

In some disturbing instances, prisoners faced clandestine ‘indoor executions’ using blunt weapons, contradicting official claims banning such practices. Most executions, out of 111 cases where methods were identified, were conducted by firing squad, predominantly utilizing rifles or machine guns. However, the report highlights rare cases of brutal executions, including the use of blunt instruments like an iron mace and a hammer in non-public settings.

The report’s images display various suspected execution sites in North Korea, ranging from firing ranges near airports to football fields and remote fields where crowds sometimes gathered to witness the killings. Nearly 75% of the executions occurred in public settings.

The top five localities with the highest number of documented executions include Hyesan City, Ryanggang Province; Pyongyang; Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province; Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province; and Hoeryong City, North Hamgyong Province.

Execution methods predominantly involved firearms like rifles and machine guns, with only a few cases of hangings and blunt-force executions reported. The report also notes a surge in capital punishment post-Covid-19, particularly for offenses related to consuming South Korean entertainment, foreign culture, religion, and ‘superstition.’

For further details, the full report can be accessed by clicking here.