North Korean Regime Executes Business Owners in Brutal Public Display
In a stark demonstration of state control, North Korea has publicly executed a married couple in their 50s, accusing them of arrogance and anti-state activities following the success of their private business. The execution, which took place in an open space in Mirim, was witnessed by hundreds of residents, including young children who were forced to attend.
The Business and the Alleged Crimes
The couple operated a formally registered business in Sadong District that sold, repaired, and rented electric bicycles, battery-powered motorcycle parts, and ordinary bikes. While registered with the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions, they were accused of making significant side profits, leading locals to label them as 'big shots'.
Resentment grew among some residents due to high wholesale prices, complaints about product quality, and what was described as the couple's arrogant behaviour. Authorities ultimately arrested them in early August, charging them under the Rejection of Reactionary Thought and Culture Act. They were accused of working with an external organisation to illegally move foreign currency and spread anti-state messages.
After a joint interrogation, they were given a death sentence in early September. Around 20 people connected to them reportedly received sentences of exile or re-education.
A Horrific Public Spectacle Designed to Instil Fear
The execution was not a private affair. Authorities compelled attendance, ordering all market managers and stall managers to be present. A source reported that over 200 residents gathered to witness the event.
Disturbingly, parents with no childcare options were forced to bring their young children. The source added, 'Residents who had no place to leave their children had no choice but to bring them out. Middle school students passing by also joined the adults without any resistance and witnessed the horrific scene.'
Officials stated the execution was intended to act as 'a model for preventing economic chaos and educating the public.' The timing was also significant, occurring shortly after the country's leader, Kim Jong-un, returned from a visit to China. Analysts saw this as a clear message that internal discipline would be strictly enforced, even during foreign cooperation.
Widespread Fear and Economic Repercussions
The immediate aftermath of the execution was a climate of intense fear. Market activity dropped sharply for several days, and businesses linked to the couple collapsed. The prices of batteries and related parts suddenly rose or stopped moving altogether.
The decision to expose minors to such extreme violence caused particular alarm, with many viewing it as a deliberate tactic. A source explained, 'This incident is not simply about punishing acts of 'disrupting economic order.' It is about instilling fear in the public, especially among the youth, that 'the state can punish anyone if it wants to.'
This event fits a pattern of North Korea using public executions, often by firing squad or hanging, to deter behaviour it deems anti-republic. Last year, a 22-year-old was executed for distributing South Korean K-pop music, highlighting the regime's zero-tolerance approach to foreign cultural influence.
