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An absence of choice: the sexual exploitation of North Korean women in China

North Korean immigrants forced into sexual exploitation and marriage in China

Authors: N. Kang Muico
Publisher: Anti-Slavery International, 2005

Full text of document

This report examines the situation of North Korean women who illegally escape to China in search of food and work.

It finds that in China, the irregular status of undocumented North Korean women contributes to their vulnerability to sexual exploitation, including trafficking into forced marriage, the sex industry, as well as voluntary and quasi-voluntary arranged marriages. However, North Korean women see any existence outside the DPRK as preferable.

The DPRK legal system criminalises unauthorised departure and North Koreans residing illegally in China or in another country have a genuine fear of persecution if they are returned to the DPRK. In the case of China, the UNHCR recognises the vulnerability of North Koreans, but has not been allowed access to them. According to China’s classification of undocumented North Koreans as economic migrants, their situation is beyond UNHCR’s jurisdiction.

The paper calls for a number of actions, including:

  • the UNHCR to publicly oppose the forcible repatriation of North Koreans from China or from any other country. North Koreans should be considered refugees
  • the UNHCR to call for binding arbitration under the 1995 bilateral agreement with China if the issue of access to North Koreans in China cannot be resolved
  • the Chinese Government to grant the UNHCR access to North Koreans in China, so that the UNHCR can assess their individual circumstances and seek a safe and permanent solution to their situation
  • the DPRK Government to stop the use of forced labour in detention facilities and to amend their Criminal Code so that leaving the country without permission does not incur severe penalties
  • the international community to invest in economic development projects in the harder hit north-eastern provinces of the DPRK.