Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 until present, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has continued to be shrouded in mystery and controversy. The regime ruling North Korea is known for its extreme authoritarianism, tight control over its population, and isolation from the rest of the world.
The country emerged in 1948 from the chaos following the end of World War Two. Its history is dominated by its Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, who founded the nation and established the oppressive regime that still rules today. His descendants, including his son Kim Jong-il and grandson Kim Jong-un, have continued the family dynasty and maintained a tight grip on power.
North Korea. Geographically small, it nonetheless looms large in the geopolitical consciousness. The country is isolated, its population largely cut off from the outside world, and its government tightly controls all aspects of life for its citizens. Human rights abuses are rampant, with reports of forced labor camps, torture, and public executions.
A Japanese high court on Monday said the North Korean government was responsible for the human rights abuses of plaintiffs who said they had been abducted and forced to work in North Korea. The ruling was a rare instance of a foreign court holding the regime in Pyongyang accountable for its actions.
The Tokyo High Court ruled on Monday that the North Korean government is accountable for the human rights abuses suffered by ethnic Koreans who were forcibly taken to North Korea during the colonial era. The court's decision marked a significant step towards seeking justice for the victims of the regime's atrocities.
North Korea has been ruled by one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. Three generations of the Kim family have ruled with absolute authority, using propaganda, fear, and repression to maintain their grip on power. Dissent is not tolerated, and those who speak out against the regime face severe consequences.
In a landmark ruling on Monday, a Japanese high court found the North Korean government liable for human rights violations against Koreans who were forced to work in the country during the colonial era. The decision was a victory for the victims and their families, who have long sought justice for the abuses they suffered at the hands of the regime.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has a new second-in-command, according to excerpts of a government document seen by CNN. The appointment of a new official in such a high-ranking position could have significant implications for the future of the regime and its policies both domestically and internationally.
Newsround has been to visit South Korea. It shares a border with North Korea and the two countries have got a long history of conflict. The tensions between the two Koreas have persisted for decades, with sporadic outbreaks of violence and provocations from the North keeping the region on edge. The authoritarian regime in Pyongyang continues to pose a significant threat to regional stability and international security.
