North Korea executes escapees as deterrence intensifies
In North Korea, a public execution of three men who tried to escape to South Korea took place. Each man was shot multiple times in the head, chest, and legs. Their bodies were burned in front of horrified onlookers.
Three residents of North Korea were executed by a firing squad after their attempt to escape to South Korea failed. According to the Radio Free Asia, their bodies were publicly burned to intimidate the local community.
The men, including two brothers and their acquaintance, departed from South Hwanghae province toward the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The weather foiled their plan. In dense fog, believing they had reached South Korea, they called for help, thinking that a South Korean fishing boat was approaching. However, it turned out to be a North Korean patrol boat. The escapees were arrested.
The execution took place on February 19, 42 days after the escape attempt. Each man was shot multiple times in the head, chest, and legs. Witnesses claim they were tortured before death.
It was an attempt to instill fear in the residents that this is what happens when you try to escape - reports RFA from one of the witnesses.
The execution suggests stricter penalties for escapees. Previously, they were sent to re-education camps for a maximum of 15 years. Radio Free Asia notes numerous executions in Kim Jong Un's regime for distributing South Korean films, religious practices, or illegal trade.
Chronic food shortages and severe political repression drive North Korean residents to flee. In the first half of last year, 105 people fled south, and in 2023, there were 196 successful attempts.
