Young North Korean women stop hiding sexual assault
A young woman in North Hamgyong province reported being raped at knifepoint to police immediately after the attack, leading to the arrest of two men in their 30s, in a case that a source said reflects a growing willingness among young North Korean women to come forward about sexual violence. The woman had gone to […]
In North Hamgyong province, a young woman in North Korea reported being raped at knifepoint to the police immediately after the attack, according to a source. This act of bravery reflects a growing willingness among young North Korean women to come forward about sexual violence, a change from the past when victims often kept quiet due to social pressure.
The assailants were arrested two hours after the woman's parents reported the assault to the county social security department. The North Korean government has been conducting all six of the country's nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri facility in Kilju county, which is located in the southern part of the province. The victim, shaken by the attack, returned home and immediately informed her parents.
Her parents then reported the assault to the local authorities. The police arrested the two men, likely assuming she would remain silent due to shame or fear. However, unlike previous cases, young women today are more willing to report sexual violence through official channels. A 2020 law imposes up to 15 years of hard labor for watching South Korean media, fueling calls for a "Me Too" movement in North Korea.
The case is being transferred to the provincial social security bureau for further investigation, and the suspects' parents may face workplace criticism sessions.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
