In brief
North Korean fishermen face severe conditions on Chinese tuna longliners, while their earnings contribute to funding their leader's regime, according to a new study.
These North Koreans, often isolated for years and never permitted ashore by their captains, have become a critical source of revenue for a regime facing international sanctions. Despite a UN ban on hiring North Korean workers, Kim Jong-un has dispatched thousands abroad for labor across various sectors.The Environmental Justice Foundation highlights the extreme conditions these fishermen endure, likening their labor to forced labor that surpasses typical abuses in the global fishing industry. The report, which has drawn attention to this overlooked issue, underscores the need for global awareness of the plight faced by these fishermen. As the fishing industry grapples with ethical concerns, the plight of North Korean laborers remains a dark reality hidden within the remote expanses of the ocean. This investigation encourages renewed scrutiny of labor practices and the human rights implications tied to North Korea's overseas workforce.
