Recent reports indicate that North Korea has expanded its list of crimes punishable by death under the regime of Supreme leader Kim Jong Un. The revisions to the criminal law have increased the number of offenses warranting the death penalty from 11 to 16.
New offenses that now carry the punishment of execution include anti-state propaganda and agitation acts, illegal manufacturing, and the illicit use of weapons. These legal modifications were implemented through a series of amendments between May 2022 and December 2023, as reported by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU).
The tightening of the criminal code is seen as a move to further solidify the Kim regime's control over the population by reinforcing its dominance in the marketplace and military sectors.
In a recent state event commemorating the country's 76th anniversary, Kim Jong Un emphasized North Korea's commitment to enhancing its weapons development and strengthening its nuclear capabilities. The leader stressed the need for the country to perfect its nuclear force to ensure its security rights in the face of perceived threats from nuclear-armed rival states.
Kim Jong Un also warned of the increased involvement of the United States in the region, citing it as a reason for North Korea to pursue more powerful weapons as a deterrent. The regime has vowed to bolster its nuclear force to counter any threatening acts from rival states and ensure that all armed forces, including the nuclear force, are fully prepared for combat.
Last year, the 14th Supreme People's Assembly, the country's unicameral legislative body, amended the national constitution to establish nuclear weaponization as a core principle.
