User:Bjornar/FAQ

Q1: Why Norwegian? Why not a Korean?

I am a Norwegian who visits the DPRK regularly and through my work as International Counselor in the Korean Friendship Association have been authorized by DPRK authorities to speak on behalf of the DPRK government.

Q2: What about Human Rights in the DPRK?

The DPRK constitution chapter 5, "Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens" grants every citizen basic human rights similar to those found in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights [1]. I'll briefly comment each article to correctly define how the universal human rights is applied in the DPRK.

Article 11 and 12 is described by the Criminal Code of the DPRK.

Article 13 section 1: Throughout the DPRK there are checkpoints due to neccessary security because of the state of preparation for war. Any traveller who needs to cross internal borders and checkpoints must carry documents and identification. Section 2 is difficult to realize because of the lack of hard currency to travel outside. Citizens are also warned about the possibility of crime and other dangers abroad. Every DPRK citizen has the right to travel internally and externally.

Article 14: For a DPRK citizen to seek asylum in another country will void his/her DPRK citizenship.

Article 17: Private property is respected under DPRK law, but companies are regulated under the state, and none shall open or start any business without cooperation or authorization of the State.

Article 18: Freedom of speech, the right to religion, etc, is on condition that the activity won't disturb the peace of the established society. (From Article 68 in the DPRK constitution: Religion must not be used as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State and social order.)

Article 19: For security reasons, the DPRK state blocks access to other media.

Article 20: Free assembly and association is guaranteed by DPRK law on condition that it does not disturb the order of society.

Article 26: Education is free for all citizens up to and including University level.

Article 29, section 2: Every citizen is subject to restrictions to safeguard public order, as well as the order of the established society in all areas of culture, ideology and morale.

Note: Since the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights is viewed as the one universal standard, this has been chosen to be compared with the current practices in the DPRK as has been commented above. Nothing in the declaration describes in detail any requirements for penal offences as mentioned in Article 11.

(more questions will be added soon)