Harsh punishments

Attempting to escape North Korea is considered a serious crime and can result in severe punishment. The government considers defectors to be traitors, and punishment can range from imprisonment, and forced labor, to execution.

The punishment affects not only the person attempting to escape but also their family members. The government has a policy of "three generations of punishment," which means that family members of defectors can also face punishment, including imprisonment or forced labor.

Moreover, the punishment for attempting to escape can be even more severe if the defector is caught and repatriated back to North Korea by the Chinese government. Repatriated defectors face harsher punishment, including torture, imprisonment, and execution.

The government also actively tries to prevent defections by monitoring and controlling citizens' movements and communications, as well as through propaganda that promotes loyalty to the state and demonizes those who attempt to leave the country.