North Korea Expands Death Penalty Offenses
North Korea has reportedly expanded the list of crimes punishable by death under the regime of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. According to a report by Fox News, citing South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, the number of offenses warranting the death penalty has increased from 11 to 16 following changes to the nation’s criminal law.
Among the newly added offenses are acts of anti-state propaganda, agitation, illegal weapons manufacturing, and unauthorized weapon use. Additionally, other behaviors deemed “reactionary,” such as wearing foreign clothing—like white wedding dresses, blue jeans, or sunglasses—are now punishable under the revised laws.
The report also indicates that South Korean slang terms have been banned in written communications within North Korea.
Besides the death penalty, other severe punishments for actions considered anti-social include imprisonment in labor camps and forced re-education.
The amendments to the criminal code follow last year’s changes to North Korea’s constitution, where the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly officially established nuclear weaponization as a central national policy.
