Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
A young woman who escaped from North Korea has shared a horrifying account of life inside one of the world’s most secretive and tightly controlled nations. Her story, now circulating on social media, sheds light on the extreme surveillance, fear and abuse allegedly faced by ordinary citizens under the rule of Kim Jong Un.
According to the defector, every household in North Korea is required to display portraits of the ruling Kim family. Citizens must clean the photographs daily with special cloths, as even a small amount of dust can lead to punishment. Government inspectors reportedly conduct surprise raids on homes, and families found neglecting the portraits can face public humiliation, imprisonment or severe penalties.
The woman also made disturbing allegations about the exploitation of young girls in the country. She claimed that authorities allegedly select attractive, healthy and politically “loyal” girls every year for an elite group known as the “Kippumjo” or “Pleasure Squad.” According to her account, school officials conduct physical inspections, and selected girls receive training in entertainment, massage and other services for high-ranking officials and people close to the regime.
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She further alleged that girls who resist orders risk being sent to brutal political prison camps or even face execution. The defector said victims of sexual assault are often blamed instead of receiving justice, while powerful perpetrators remain protected.
The woman described growing up in an environment dominated by hunger, propaganda and fear. She said children are taught from an early age to view Kim Jong Un as their protector and “father,” while anyone expressing dissent mysteriously disappears.
Fearing she could be selected for the alleged “Pleasure Squad,” the woman and her family eventually decided to flee the country. She described the escape across the border as extremely dangerous, adding that many North Korean women who reach China become victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation before managing to reach safety.
After surviving multiple hardships, the woman finally arrived in South Korea, where she is now speaking publicly about the alleged realities inside North Korea and urging the world not to ignore the suffering of its people.
