In North Korea, three youths are said to have been publicly executed by firing squad. Two of those executed are said to have received the death penalty for watching and distributing South Korean films, the third for murdering his stepmother, Radio Free Asia reports, citing two people who say they were eyewitnesses to the shootings. The execution took place in October.
The young people are said to have been around 16 or 17 years old. Their alleged crimes were equally serious, authorities told terrified residents of Hyesan city on the Chinese border. Local residents were forced to watch the shooting at an airfield in the city.
"They said, 'Those who watch or distribute South Korean films and dramas and those who disturb social order by murdering other people will not be forgiven and will be sentenced to the maximum penalty - death,'" Radio Free Asia quoted one as saying eyewitness. "Hyesan residents gathered in groups at the airstrip," she said of the incident. "The authorities brought the teenagers before the public, sentenced them to death and immediately shot them."
Executions of this kind are rare in North Korea, but not uncommon, the broadcaster reports. About a week before the youths were shot, the authorities told the public in public meetings that they would crack down on crimes related to foreign media, particularly from South Korea.
South Korean and Western movies, music and TV shows have spread in North Korea in recent years on USB sticks and SD cards, according to Radio Free Asia. The media would be brought into the country by smugglers from China and then passed from person to person. North Korea is increasingly concerned that South Korean culture, which is seen as decadent and anti-revolutionary, will rub off on its own youth.
According to the Hyesan source, anyone caught watching a foreign film would be sent to a disciplinary work center. If caught again, they would be sent to a prison labor camp for five years, along with their parents, who would have to take responsibility for the improper upbringing of their children. However, anyone caught distributing or selling South Korean films faces the death penalty, even if he or she is a minor.
The now-executed youths, according to the source, were caught trying to sell USB sticks containing contraband media at their local marketplace. The authorities would plant spies among the population, who would then report the vendors to the police. "The students were lured into a trap," said the eyewitness.
News of the execution spread and terrified people, a resident of neighboring North Hamgyong province told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity. Despite intensive controls and harsh measures, young people are still caught secretly watching South Korean films. "That's why the authorities are now beginning a reign of terror through public executions."
Those: Radio Free Asia
