Human rights of North Korean migrant workers

There is growing concern over the human rights situation of North Korean migrant workers. Related to the labour system under North Korea’s socialist planned economy, whereby the authorities have direct control over allocation of the labour force, the issue is also relevant to each host country’s protection of the rights of migrant workers. This article examines the human rights conditions of North Korean migrant workers, and assesses whether their situation amounts to slavery and forced labour from the perspective of international law. Through analysis of North Korea’s Socialist Labour Law and the country’s regime, which frames its labour structure, this article seeks to determine the root causes of the situation—and ultimately to invoke international cooperation for amelioration of the human rights of these workers.