The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the formal name for North Korea, rejected the report, saying it was "politically motivated for sinister purposes". North Korea blames the dire humanitarian situation on U.N. sanctions imposed for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since 2006. Many North Koreans pay bribes of cash or cigarettes not to have to report to state-assigned jobs where they receive no salary, thus allowing them to earn income in rudimentary markets, the report said. China should not forcibly repatriate North Koreans, she added. The United States called on North Korea this month to "dismantle all political prison camps" and release all political prisoners, who it said numbered between 80,000 and 120,000.

Source: The Star May 28, 2019 06:00 UTC