Kim Jong-un ordered the sending of divorced couples to labor camps.

Dictator Kim Jong-un has ordered that divorced couples be sent to labor camps to "pay for their sins."

The North Korean leader wants divorced couples to work in camps for up to six months, as divorce is seen as an "anti-socialist" act. According to a source in the country, until recently, only the spouse who filed for divorce was punished, and this applied even to spouses who had been subjected to physical violence.

However, with the new implementation, both spouses will face imprisonment after the divorce decision is finalized.

A citizen from Ryanggang province in northern North Korea told the RFA news site, "When I went to the Kimjongsuk County People's Court, I saw that 12 people were granted divorce. As soon as the decision was announced, they were all sent to the county labor training camp."

The same source noted that divorces have rapidly increased since 2020.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country was completely quarantined, and most families faced significant difficulties in making a living. Deteriorating economic conditions led to the end of many marriages.

The government has started punishing those who divorce to prevent married couples from separating during this tumultuous period.

Last year, the state launched an educational campaign aimed specifically at preventing women from divorcing.