PYONGYANG, North Korea — About 80 people reportedly were executed last week in seven cities across North Korea over offenses that included distribution of porn.
According to the South Korean paper Korea Joonhang Daily, the executions took place in Wonsan, Chongjin, Sariwon and Pyongsong.
Porn was among cited violations as reasoning for the executions. So was prostitution, possessing a Bible and watching smuggled South Korean TV shows.
An unnamed eyewitness told the paper that authorities brought 10,000 North Korean citizens to a stadium in Wonsan to watch eight people tied to stakes with bags over their heads get shot by a firing squad.
In August, Kim Jong-un, the country’s 30-year-old leader, was reported to have ordered the executions of a dozen entertainers from the Unhasu Orchestra and the Wangjaesan Light Music Band, including ex-girlfriend Hyon Song-wol. The troupe members reportedly filmed themselves having sex and sold the videos on the black market to earn money.
Execution of the entertainers, reports said, was designed to cover up the North Korea’s first lady’s involvement with them. Before marrying Kim in 2012, Ri was a singer with the orchestra.
