North Korea threatens US with harsh measures over human trafficking report
North Korea has threatened the United States with harsh measures in response to the publication of the US Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report. Pyongyang considers the document to be a manifestation of Washington's hostile policy toward North Korea.
This was stated in a declaration by the North Korean Foreign Ministry, published by the state news agency KCNA.
The North Korean foreign policy department called the report a "politically motivated provocation" and stated that the US campaign allegedly threatens North Korea's sovereignty and the interests of its citizens.
"We will never view the publication of the US report as an annual routine practice, but as a continuation of the hostile policy toward North Korea and an attempt to overthrow our social system," the country's Foreign Ministry stated.
Pyongyang also claims that Washington's policy is one of the reasons why North Korea intends to strengthen its military potential to protect state sovereignty.
"North Korea will double its efforts to neutralize the hostile actions of the US, make those who commit malicious acts answer for them, achieve justice, and protect its sovereignty and social system," the statement says.
According to the 2026 US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report, North Korea was included in the list of 12 countries where human trafficking policies or schemes have been documented within state-funded programs of forced labor, sexual slavery, or child soldier recruitment.
This list also included Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Russia.
