THE GUARDIAN VOLUME IV ISSUE I | Page 35

Treason includes defection and political opposition, and an example of a serious case of treason is a citizen betraying the state to run away to another country. A North Korean citizen who does not advocate national unification and opposes North Korean imperialists also becomes subject to the death penalty. Last year, a deputy found to be guilty of anti-party reactionary of modern-day factionalism after an investigation conducted by Kim Jong-un, who was displeased with the deputy’s disrespectful posture, was killed. Death penalties today are usually conducted by tying the wrongdoer to a metal post and using a firing squad to shoot him, whereas other methods of brutality were used in the past.

In light of North Korea’s current political state, many have been bringing up the issue of the North Korean government’s inhumane treatment of its citizens. Highlighting the death penalty is crucial in taking a step further to abolish the oppressive government.