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North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear research center reported that 12 young scientists were arrested for watching Korean dramas, listening to pop songs and criticizing the system. Four were also suspected of being shot in public in front of their colleagues.
north korea A major ideological purification event was reported at the Nuclear Weapons Research and Development Center, Yongbyon.south korea Independent media “Sand Times” on the 23rd, citing internal sources in North Korea, reported that 12 young scientists and researchers from the Bunggang area of Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province were arrested by the Ministry of National Security for privately watching South Korean film and television works, listening to pop songs, and criticizing the North Korean system in secret meetings. Four of them were reportedly shot publicly in front of thousands of their colleagues on September 28, while the remaining eight were deprived of their civil rights and sent to political prison camps. The news has not been independently confirmed.
“Sand Times” reported that the incident occurred in the Yongbyon Bungang area, the main area of North Korea’s nuclear weapons development, where important institutions such as the Nuclear Energy Research Institute and nuclear fuel processing facilities are located. The four researchers executed were said to have been responsible for key technologies of the nuclear facilities, and the remaining eight were also engaged in research and technical work related to nuclear energy.
The counterintelligence department of North Korea’s Ministry of National Security raided the residences and dormitories of local researchers in early August and seized electronic devices that stored South Korean pop songs, film and television works, and illegally modified storage devices, sources said.
The investigation found that the 12 young researchers had held secret meetings several times to collectively watch South Korean film and television works and had criticized and ridiculed North Korean policies and national systems at the meetings.
North Korean officials determined that the matter was not simply the viewing of foreign videos, but an organized anti-system activity at a vital national nuclear facility. Therefore, 12 people were arrested on suspicion of violating the “Reactionary Ideology and Culture Exclusion Act” and anti-state conspiracy.
The report said that 12 researchers were cut off from contact with their families after their arrests, and their family members were also included as surveillance targets. Sources revealed that some family members of the researchers went missing after the incident.
Sources reported that the public execution put the entire research park in fear. Authorities continued raids on research facilities, residences and dormitories after the executions and announced they would begin a second wave of widespread inspections of computers, storage devices, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
North Korea enacted the “Law on Countering Reactionary Ideology and Culture” in 2020, which strictly restricts the flow and dissemination of foreign cultural content such as South Korean films, music, and concerts. Violators may face re-education through labour, and in severe cases, the death penalty.
Such cases have come to light earlier also. On June 12 this year, “Daily NK”, which specializes in reporting on North Korea, quoted local sources as saying that two young college graduates from Haeju city, South Hwanghae province, were executed in late May for allegedly holding secret gatherings and watching and distributing South Korean and other banned videos. A person from a national policy research institute told the “Sand Times” that North Korea has implemented this law and increased inspections for six years, but it still has not completely prevented people from accessing South Korean culture.
Summary FAQ
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The incident reportedly occurred in the Fenggang area of Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province, which is North Korea’s main area of nuclear weapons research and development. A total of 12 young scientists and researchers were investigated and four of them were reportedly shot in public.
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Reports indicate that he privately watched South Korean film and television productions, listened to pop songs, and criticized North Korean policies and systems in secret meetings. Authorities determined that this was not simply a display of foreign culture, but organized anti-establishment activity.
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Authorities arrested 12 people under the Reactionary Ideology and Culture Exclusion Act and other charges. Four people were reportedly shot in public, and the remaining eight were sent to a political prison camp. His family members were also placed under surveillance and they announced that they would intensify a comprehensive search of electronic devices.
