North Korea Executes Pregnant Woman to Death for Showing Photo of Kim Jong Un's Grandfather

North Korea Executes Pregnant Woman to Death for Showing Photo of Kim Jong Un's Grandfather

North Korea has reportedly executed many of its citizens in recent years, including two teenagers aged 16-17 and pregnant women. (REUTERS/KCNA)

South Korea reported North Korea had executed a pregnant woman for pointing to a photo of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's late grandfather, Kim Il Sung, who was the founder of this communist country. 

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This was revealed by the Ministry of Unification of South Korea in its 400-page annual report on human rights in its neighboring country. The report said the woman was sentenced to death after a video circulated showing her pointing at a photo of Kim Il Sung dancing in his house. 

"Execution is carried out even for acts that do not require the death penalty to be applied. Some crimes that are punishable by North Korea are related to drugs, distribution of content and videos from South Korea, to religious activities," the report said. 

The report released on Thursday (30/3) revealed a series of torture and executions that were often carried out by the North Korean regime, including on children and pregnant women. 

In addition to pregnant women, North Korea also executed two teenagers aged 16 and 17 years because they were caught watching video clips from South Korea and smoking opium in a stadium. 

Authorities also reportedly blackmailed the families of the two teenagers and forced several family members into medical research experiments. 

In addition, North Korea executed a gay man in 2014 and a woman accused of prostitution in 2013. 

The report was obtained by President Yoon Suk Yeol's government by interviewing more than 508 North Koreans who had defected to South Korea from 2017-2022. They have witnessed serious human rights violations while there. 

"The report reflects the government's determination to put more efforts into improving human rights in North Korea," said Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, as reported by the Korea Times. 

This report is the first in several years. This is because during the administration of Yoon's predecessor, President Moon Jae In, South Korea considered the results of this report on human rights in North Korea as a state secret. 

SOURCE: CNN