The U.S. Department of State has classified North Korea’s human trafficking situation as Tier 3—the lowest possible rating—for the 23rd consecutive year. South Korea has maintained its Tier 1 status for the second consecutive year.
On Monday, the State Department released its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, which noted that the North Korean government not only has failed to establish any system to prevent human trafficking or protect victims but is also deeply involved in state-sponsored forced labor and human trafficking.
Specific examples cited include: imprisoning citizens in labor training camps, re-education centers, and political prison camps; systematically employing forced labor as a means of political and social control; forcibly seizing wages from overseas workers and restricting their freedom of movement; and the forced marriage and sexual exploitation of North Korean women in countries such as China.
The report recommends that the North Korean government: halt state-sponsored human trafficking activities, including forced labor; abolish the system for dispatching overseas workers; protect and support victims rather than penalize them; and enact and enforce laws related to human trafficking.
The U.S. State Department’s trafficking report evaluates each country’s anti-trafficking efforts under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) and categorizes them into four tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3.
Countries classified as Tier 3 are ineligible for U.S. humanitarian or non–trade-related assistance. Furthermore, the U.S. may oppose international financial institution support or loans to these countries.
This year, 20 countries received a Tier 3 rating, including North Korea, China, Russia, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan.
South Korea, which had been downgraded to Tier 2 in 2022, has regained and maintained its Tier 1 status for the second consecutive year.
The report stated that the South Korean government has met the minimum standards for protecting human trafficking victims and punishing perpetrators, and has made ongoing efforts to maintain these standards.
However, the report noted that civil society organizations point to continuing cases of sexual exploitation and forced labor in South Korea, particularly among vulnerable groups such as foreign workers and marriage migrants. It also highlighted significant disparities in local government responses and noted that the victim identification process remains primarily focused on sexual exploitation victims.
Consequently, the report recommends that the South Korean government: strengthen protections for victims of labor exploitation beyond sexual exploitation; expand protective measures for vulnerable groups, including foreign workers and marriage migrants; enhance cooperation with local governments; and increase funding for victim support organizations.