Evidence of dissent

last updated 8 January 2015

Hoeryong, North Korea

A South Korean human rights group this week released a video that it claims was made by an underground North Korean pro-democracy group. If the video is genuine, it would be rare evidence of dissident activity in Stalinist North Korea. The video includes footage of graffiti denouncing dictator Kim Jong Il as well as a voice-over by the leader of the group Youth Solidarity for Freedom. “People, let’s stage both violent and nonviolent struggles,” the voice says. “It is a legitimate struggle if you refuse to go to work when your factory does not provide food and living allowances.” Speaking against the government is punishable by death in North Korea.