Songbun

Chulsin sŏngbun
Diagram of the Songbun system as described by HRNK[a]
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl	출신성분
Hancha	出身成分
Revised Romanization	chulsin-seongbun
McCune–Reischauer	ch'ulsin-sŏngbun

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Human rights in North Korea
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Political prisons (Kwanliso) Kaechon (No. 14) Yodok (No. 15 - closed) Hwasong (No. 16) Pukchang (No. 18) Hoeryong (No. 22 - closed) Chongjin (No. 25) Sunghori (No. 26 - closed) Onsong (No. 12 - closed)
Re-education camps (Kyohwaso) Kaechon (No. 1) Tongrim (No. 2) Sinuiju (No. 3) Kangdong (No. 4) Sariwon (No. 6) Kanggye (No. 7) Ryongdam (No. 8) Hamhung (No. 9) Chungsan (No. 11) Chongori (No. 12) Oro (No. 22 - closed) Tanchon (No. 77 - closed) Wonsan (No. 88) Hoeryong
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International reactions U.S. Law of 2004 Japanese Law of 2006 [ja] South Korea Law of 2016 UNGA Resolution 62/167 United Nations COI Report Balloon propaganda campaigns List of human rights reports
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Songbun (Korean: 성분; MR: sŏngbun), formally chulsin-songbun (Korean: 출신성분; MR: ch'ulsin sŏngbun, from Sino-Korean 出身, "origin" and 成分, "constituent"), is the system of ascribed status used in North Korea. According to the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the American Enterprise Institute, it is based on the political, social, and economic background of one's direct ancestors as well as the behavior of their relatives, songbun is used to classify North Korean citizens into three primary castes—core, wavering, and hostile—in addition to approximately fifty sub-classifications, and determine whether an individual is trusted with responsibilities, is given opportunities within North Korea,^[1] or even receives adequate food.^[2] The U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the American Enterprise Institute states that Songbun affects access to educational and employment opportunities and it particularly determines whether a person is eligible to join North Korea's ruling party, the Workers' Party of Korea.^[3][1]

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