"I saw a pregnant woman (26). They beat her so that she would lose the child."

First published on stefanus.no 10.16.24 Written by: Johannes Morken   Illustration: Emelie Park, for CSW 

Documenting Horrific Abuse in North Korea’s Prison Camps

The human rights organization Korea Future has meticulously documented the abuse of prisoners in North Korea, interviewing 259 survivors, witnesses, and former state agents who defected from the regime.

Among the worst atrocities are *forced abortions*, which are carried out systematically in North Korean prison camps. These procedures include brutal methods such as medical injections, forced surgery, and physical violence—often involving blows to a pregnant woman’s abdomen. In particular, these forced abortions aim to prevent the birth of children with Chinese fathers. Additionally, miscarriages frequently occur in these camps due to the lack of medical care, extreme malnutrition, and grueling forced labor.

A Shocking Testimony of Forced Abortion

One woman, identified as “A0029” by Korea Future, described the abuses she witnessed. She recalled the suffering of another woman, a young mother who had escaped to China but was captured, sent back to North Korea, and imprisoned in a labor camp.

“I saw a pregnant woman, only 26 years old. They forcibly aborted her baby in January 2015. The smell of blood was everywhere. She lost so much blood because of the forced abortion...they aborted her baby simply because it was Chinese. Without exception, they get rid of pregnancies from China.”

The treatment of these women is horrific. Those subjected to forced abortions are often denied even basic medical care afterward. Painkillers or follow-up treatment are rare, leaving these women to endure tremendous suffering and lasting trauma. Another woman, labeled “A1492,” shared her own experience:

“I was about one month pregnant when I was detained by the Ministry of State Security. They forced me to have an abortion, without anesthetic, and I was not allowed to make a sound. I had to walk over a mountain to reach the hospital where they performed the procedure. The pain in my back was unbearable. They gave me no medicine or treatment afterward, and I was forced back to work after resting just one day.”

Humiliation and Degradation

Another witness, known as “A2090,” recounted the degrading treatment she and other female prisoners endured upon arrival at a Ministry of State Security detention camp. Female guards forced them to undress completely, carrying out invasive inspections without medical reason.

“They put on rubber gloves and inserted their hands as far as they could into our bodies before sending us to a cell.”

The testimonies reveal that these forced, invasive inspections and acts of degradation are common in North Korean detention facilities. Women are frequently ordered to strip, followed by humiliating and invasive examinations of their genitals, breasts, and rectum, all without any medical purpose.

Women are frequently ordered to strip, followed by humiliating and invasive examinations of their genitals, breasts, and rectum, all without any medical purpose.

Korea Future

A Call to Action for Justice

Korea Future emphasizes that these horrific acts of sexual and gender-based violence are severe violations of international law. The organization calls on the global community to act.

“These cases need to be investigated. The international community must ensure that the truth comes out, that justice is served, and that those responsible for these abuses are held accountable.”

The Reality of Violence Against Women in North Korea

From 2021 to 2023, Korea Future conducted 259 in-depth interviews with survivors, witnesses, and defectors from North Korea's power structures, revealing the scope of abuse and injustice faced by women under this brutal regime. Their findings are carefully documented in a comprehensive database, showing:

- 195 cases of women being forced to undress fully or partially
- 134 cases of invasive body cavity searches with no medical purpose
- 81 cases involving forced penetration with a body part or object
- 62 cases of forced abortion
- 55 cases of non-consensual physical contact

*Source: Korea Future*

These heartbreaking numbers serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for justice and action. As Christians, we are called to remember these women in our prayers and seek ways to advocate for their safety and dignity. We must not turn away from their suffering, but rather stand in solidarity with them, striving to bring hope and healing to those who have endured such horrific abuse.

Read the whole report here.