Background

It is a decade since a United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea investigated systematic, widespread, and grave violations of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). In its report, the COI acknowledged that “violence against women, in particular sexual violence, proved to be difficult to document owing to the stigma and shame that still attaches to the victims” and further stated that “its inquiry may have only partially captured the extent of relevant violations.”

Preliminary Findings

Our first report provides a preliminary and non-exhaustive list of acts perceived to constitute sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the DPRK by the affected community. The report then provides a contextual understanding of the normative structures that frame perceptions of sexual and gender-based violence among  North Koreans who escaped the DPRK since 2015. Our findings suggest that many, if not all, understandings of human rights violations are gendered. Finally, the report concludes with preliminary observations regarding survivor understandings of accountability and explores the role of survivors in these processes.

Reflections on Survivor-centred Documentation Best Practices

Our second report addresses key challenges related
to documenting SGBV
in the DPRK by providing  recommendations for  gender-sensitive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred documentation.

 The report consists of two chapters. The first chapter supports human rights
investigators identify and assess the potential
barriers to investigating SGBV in the DPRK context
and to recognise the community sensitisation work
required prior to investigations that can ensure
support structures for survivors are in place
before documentation activities occur. The second chapter provides key contextual information
relevant to the investigation of SGBV in the DPRK
context, with a focus on investigations conducted
in the Republic of Korea (ROK). It is informed by consultations held
by Korea Future with civil society organisations
based in the ROK, including North Korean exile-led organisations; psychosocial service providers
and counsellors who assist North Korean exiles
and other survivors of sexual and gender-based
violence; and individuals from the North Korean
diaspora. 

The report complements existing investigative  global best practices for
gender-sensitive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred approaches to the investigation of SGBV, specifically
for the DPRK context. We expect the recommendations will help investigators apply both localised and global best practices to their investigations that ensure the well-being of interviewees and investigators and build  the credibility of  investigations. A Korean-language version of this report will be released at a later date.