North Korean IT workers endure oppressive conditions under the Kim Jong-un regime, forced to generate illegal revenue while facing relentless scrutiny. A human rights report by PSCORE, an NGO based in Seoul, sheds light on the dire circumstances these workers face, emphasising that they should be viewed as victims of severe human rights violations rather than merely contributors to illicit earnings. “It is critical to recognise these IT workers as victims of North Korea’s cyber agenda,” the report states.
This insightful document reveals the harsh realities encountered by North Korean IT professionals through interviews with defectors conducted in 2024. These workers typically labour over 10 hours a day, often through the night, leading to extreme fatigue and disturbed lives. Living in congested apartments, they share limited space with several colleagues, further compounding their plight. As Kang Ju-won, a former worker, noted, they follow erratic work schedules, impacting their overall well-being.
The intense workplace pressure comes with severe mental health consequences. Kim Ji-min, an IT expert from North Korea, highlights the critical strain these conditions put on mental health, leading to depression and even suicides among colleagues. The report emphasises the torment faced by these workers due to strict quotas imposed by the regime, which can result in public humiliation or psychological intimidation if not met.
Moreover, the financial exploitation is significant, with employees required to remit 90-95% of their earnings to the state, which is absurdly framed as a patriotic duty. Na Jeong-seok, a former IT worker, explained how little he retained from his earnings, underscoring the unbearable weight placed on their shoulders to meet demanding quotas while surviving on meagre allowances.
To add to the distress, these workers operate under constant surveillance, employing pseudonyms to navigate foreign employment avenues. “The moment you turn this program off, you’re already a bad guy,” Kim Ji-min remarked, showcasing how their life and work are consistently monitored, blocking all avenues for personal interaction.
The report thus calls for a humanitarian perspective that views North Korean IT workers as endangered individuals trapped in an inhumane system, pushing the narrative beyond mere statistical figures into the realm of urgent human rights advocacy.
A recent PSCORE report reveals the harsh conditions endured by North Korean IT workers, highlighting enforced quotas and relentless surveillance under the Kim regime. It stresses the severe mental health impacts of their work, as well as significant financial exploitation, where most earnings are confiscated by the state. This document advocates for recognition of these workers as victims of human rights abuses rather than simply producers of illicit revenue.
The PSCORE report uncovers the grim reality faced by North Korean IT workers, framing them as victims rather than mere contributors to the regime’s illicit revenue stream. It highlights the severe mental strain they endure, the financial exploitation through forced earnings remittance, and the incessant surveillance they face. This comprehensive insight compels a reevaluation of the narratives surrounding North Korean IT professionals, advocating for their recognition as individuals deserving of human rights protections.
Original Source: www.koreaherald.com
