North Korea Imposes Death Penalty on Citizens Caught Watching Foreign Media

North Korea Executing More People for Watching Foreign Films and TV, UN Finds SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The North Korean government has been increasingly implementing the death penalty for citizens caught watching or sharing foreign films and TV dramas, a major United Nations report revealed on Wednesday. According to the UN Human Rights Office, over the past decade, the North Korean state has tightened its control over "all aspects of citizens' lives," subjecting them to forced labor and further restricting their freedoms. The report, based on more than 300 interviews with people who escaped from North Korea, concluded that no other population is under such restrictions in today's world. "We have seen a significant increase in the use of the death penalty as a tool for maintaining control over citizens," said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "If this situation continues, North Koreans will be subjected to more of the suffering, brutal repression and fear that they have endured for so long." The report highlighted the role of technology in facilitating surveillance and control. "Advances in technology have made it easier for the government to monitor citizens' activities, including their access to foreign media," said a UN spokesperson. Life under Kim Jong Un's rule has become increasingly oppressive, with people more afraid than ever before, according to defectors interviewed by the UN. The North Korean government has long been criticized for its human rights record, but the latest report suggests that conditions have worsened in recent years. The international community has expressed concern over the situation in North Korea. "We are deeply troubled by the findings of this report and call on the North Korean government to take immediate action to improve the human rights situation," said a spokesperson for the European Union. In response to the report, the US State Department reiterated its commitment to promoting human rights and democracy in North Korea. "The United States will continue to work with international partners to address the grave human rights abuses committed by the North Korean regime," said a department spokesperson. The UN report is a stark reminder of the challenges facing North Koreans, who live under one of the most restrictive regimes in the world. As the international community continues to monitor the situation, it remains to be seen whether the North Korean government will take steps to address the human rights concerns raised by the report. Background: North Korea has long been criticized for its human rights record, with many defectors and human rights groups accusing the government of widespread abuses. The country's isolation from the rest of the world has made it difficult for outsiders to gather information on the situation inside North Korea. Additional Perspectives: Human rights experts say that the report highlights the need for greater international pressure on the North Korean government to improve its human rights record. "The UN report is a wake-up call for the international community to take action and hold the North Korean regime accountable for its abuses," said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. Current Status: The situation in North Korea remains dire, with many defectors continuing to flee the country in search of safety and freedom. The UN report is likely to fuel further debate on the need for greater international intervention to address the human rights crisis in North Korea. Next Developments: The UN Human Rights Office has called on the North Korean government to take immediate action to improve the human rights situation, including releasing prisoners and allowing greater access to foreign media. The international community will be watching closely to see if the North Korean government responds to these calls for reform. *Reporting by Bbc.*