US puts North Korea in lowest trafficking tier for 24th consecutive year
In short
The US State Department placed North Korea in Tier 3, its lowest trafficking category, in its 2026 report released on October 8. It cited government involvement in forced labor, while South Korea retained the highest ranking.
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The US State Department classified North Korea in Tier 3, the lowest category in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report released on October 8. North Korea has remained in that category since 2003, making this its 24th consecutive year at the lowest level. South Korea retained Tier 1, the highest ranking. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The department said North Korea had shown no meaningful efforts to address trafficking. It cited government policies and practices involving forced labor by adults and children in political prison camps and labor correction facilities, as well as forced labor conditions imposed on workers sent abroad. Proceeds from state-sponsored forced labor were used to fund government operations, it said. [ 2 ]
Newsis reported that the assessment added a statement saying diplomatic personnel directly participated in state support for forced labor involving North Korean workers overseas. It also cited observers' estimates that 15,000 to 30,000 North Koreans were working in Russia through tourist or student visa arrangements, in sectors including manufacturing, construction, information technology, restaurants and health care. [ 1 ]
According to Yonhap, the department estimated that 80,000 to 200,000 people were held in political prison camps, while exact numbers in labor correction and other detention facilities were unknown. It said detainees faced forced labor, unsanitary conditions, beatings, torture, sexual exploitation and food shortages. [ 2 ]
For South Korea, the department said the government fully met minimum standards for eliminating trafficking and continued serious, sustained efforts. However, it noted fewer prosecutions of trafficking offenders and low numbers of investigations relative to reported crimes. It also highlighted few prosecutions and convictions involving forced labor among migrant workers, including in fishing, and said 80% of traffickers received prison terms below one year, fines or suspended sentences. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The State Department said North Korea used proceeds from state-sponsored forced labor to fund government operations. It also identified shortcomings in South Korea's prosecutions and sentencing despite its top-tier ranking.
Key facts
- North Korea has been in Tier 3 every year since 2003. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The State Department cited forced labor involving adults and children and North Korean workers sent overseas. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Newsis reported that this year's assessment added a statement about diplomatic personnel directly participating in state support for forced labor overseas. [ 1 ]
- South Korea retained Tier 1, the highest category. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The number of people held in North Korea's labor correction facilities and other detention facilities is not precisely known. Yonhap reported that the State Department could not establish an exact count for these facilities.