North Korea - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Treaty

This report addresses the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ("DPRK", "North Korea") 's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across areas of the public and political life. Whilst legal measures have been taken to advance the de iure status of disabled persons, the State's lack of empathy and motivation for genuine change limits de facto prospects of full equality.

This report examines several violations that hinder the rights of persons with disabilities in North Korea: (1) discrimination and accessibility restrictions for persons with disabilities; (2) inequitable access to education and denial of rights to services; (3) extreme hardships in marginalised groups; and (4) national governance and global perceptions that limit inclusivity for disabled individuals. 

Whilst change is certainly needed to the State's execution of the laws set forth for disabled persons, it is also vital that genuine interest be taken into persons with disabilities. The State party regularly uses persons with disabilities as an exploitation to garner international sympathy and support yet fail to implement the actual changes to do so. To achieve real change, this smoky façade must end, as genuine effort is necessary to achieve the State's aims under the Convention.