People in North Korea, including schoolchildren, are being executed for watching Squid Game and other foreign media, according to new testimony.
Citizens also face being killed for listening to K-pop, a South Korean music genre that includes bands like BTS.
Interviewees have described a climate of fear in which the South’s culture is treated as a serious crime.
The less well-off are more likely to suffer the harshest punishments, while wealthier North Koreans are able to pay corrupt officials to dodge prosecution, it is claimed.
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The testimonies were revealed by Amnesty International after conducting 25 in-depth interviews with escapees who have fled the secretive state run by Kim Jong-un‘s regime.
The escapees said watching globally popular South Korean dramas, such as Squid Game, Crash Landing on You, and Descendants of the Sun, can lead to the most extreme consequences, including death.
‘Multiple executions’
One interviewee said they heard from an escapee with family links how people, including high school students, had been executed for watching Squid Game in Yanggang Province, which is close to the Chinese border.
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Another execution for distributing the South Korean show was previously documented by Radio Free Asia in neighbouring North Hamgyong Province in 2021.
“Taken together, these reports from different provinces suggest multiple executions related to the shows,” Amnesty said in a statement.
Image: Squid Game guards with the Young-hee doll from the show, at a promotional event in Bangkok, Thailand. Pic: Reuters
Interviewees also described the perils of listening to foreign music, particularly K-pop from South Korea, with the popular band BTS named in their testimony.
In 2021, The Korea Times reported that a group of teenagers were caught and investigated for listening to the group in South Pyongan Province, which neighbours the capital, Pyongyang.
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‘Homes sold to avoid re-education camps’
Choi Suvin, who fled North Korea in 2019, said people would sell their own homes to avoid punishment.
“People are caught for the same act, but punishment depends entirely on money,” the 39-year-old said.
“People without money sell their houses to gather $5,000 or $10,000 to pay to get out of the re-education camps.”
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This inequality was further evidenced by the case of Kim Joonsik, who was caught three times watching South Korean dramas, but avoided punishment because his family had connections.
The 28-year-old, who left the country in 2019, said: “Usually when high school students are caught, if their family has money, they just get warnings.
“I didn’t receive legal punishment because we had connections.”
He contrasted his fate with that of three of his sister’s school friends.
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In the late 2010s, the girls were condemned to years-long sentences in North Korea’s labour camps because their families could not afford bribes.
Image: South Korean pop band, BTS. Pic: AP
‘Executions to brainwash’
People, including schoolchildren, were made to attend public executions as part of their “ideological education”, the interviewees said.
Ms Choi described seeing someone executed for allegedly distributing foreign media in 2017 or 2018, in Sinuiju, near the Chinese border.
“Authorities told everyone to go, and tens of thousands of people from Sinuiju city gathered to watch,” she said.
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“They execute people to brainwash and educate us.”
Kim Eunju, 40, said: “When we were 16, 17, in middle school, they took us to executions and showed us everything.
“People were executed for watching or distributing South Korean media. It’s ideological education: if you watch, this happens to you too.”
Image: Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, attend a missile launch in 2023. Pic: Reuters
‘Ideological cage’
Sarah Brooks, deputy regional director at Amnesty, said: “These testimonies show how North Korea is enforcing dystopian laws that mean watching a South Korean TV show can cost you your life – unless you can afford to pay.
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“The authorities criminalise access to information in violation of international law, then allow officials to profit off those fearing punishment.
“This is repression layered with corruption, and it most devastates those without wealth or connections.”
She added: “This government’s fear of information has effectively placed the entire population in an ideological cage, suffocating their access to the views and thoughts of other human beings.
“People who strive to learn more about the world outside North Korea, or seek simple entertainment from overseas, face the harshest of punishments.
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“This completely arbitrary system, built on fear and corruption, violates fundamental principles of justice and internationally recognised human rights. It must be dismantled.”
Image: Kim Jong-un addresses the North Korea Supreme People’s Assembly, Pyongyang’s version of parliament. Pic: Reuters
Under North Korea’s 2020 Anti-Reactionary Thought and Culture Act, South Korean content is “branded rotten ideology that paralyses the people’s revolutionary sense”.
Those caught consuming such media face between five and 15 years of forced labour under the act, with heavier sentences – including death – for distributing it or organising group viewings.
Fifteen interviewees described how a specialised police unit dubbed the “109 Group” would hunt for foreign media, conducting spot checks on people’s homes, and street searches of mobile phones and bags, all without a warrant.
One defector recalled members of the unit warning: “We don’t want to punish you harshly, but we need to bribe our bosses to save our own lives.”
Addressing members of the press, the US President confirmed he had learnt of the golf star’s involvement in a road accident and acknowledged that Woods has had “some difficulty”, while adding he didn’t “want to talk about it.”
The US president said: “He’s got some difficulty. There was an accident, and that’s all I know. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Woods has been arrested after being caught up in a road accident in Jupiter, Florida, where a vehicle was left overturned on its side. Martin County’s Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the collision took place at around 2pm local time, in the very town where Woods resides.
A photograph taken at the scene also shows a vehicle lying on its driver’s side. Details regarding how the accident unfolded, along with Woods’ condition, are yet to be established.
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It is understood that police are currently looking into the incident, with a county sheriff expected to address the media at 5pm ET. This follows Woods being involved in a single-car accident in southern California in 2021, in which he sustained serious leg injuries when his vehicle rolled multiple times.
He subsequently underwent surgery on ‘open fractures’ to his right leg, had a rod inserted into his tibia, and screws and pins fitted to his foot and ankle. He also required further surgery on injuries related to the crash in April 2023.
This comes as Woods had been working towards his long-awaited comeback to professional golf, following a year-long absence due to a series of injuries. The 50-year-old’s most recent competitive appearance came at the 2024 Open, where he failed to make the cut.
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Woods subsequently underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery, before suffering a further blow in the shape of a ruptured Achilles tendon last year while training ahead of the Masters. Speaking recently about a potential comeback at Augusta National next month, Woods said: “I said I’ve been working on it.”.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news storyand Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
Police have issued an update after a busy bus interchange was brought to a standstill yesterday (March 26) when an ‘unknown powder’ was thrown over a man.
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Emergency services were called to Altrincham Interchange at around 6:20pm on Thursday evening with police, fire and ambulances spotted parked along Stamford New Road.
A scene was in place for a number of hours, with the bus station temporarily closed and services suspended, the M.E.N reported.
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GMP later confirmed that an ‘unknown white powder’ was thrown over a man, who was later taken to hospital as a ‘precautionary’ measure. A teenager was also arrested at the scene.
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Now, the force has confirmed that the male juvenile has been released from custody for a ‘future voluntary attendance’, as the powder in question turned out to be ‘some form’ of baking powder.
Yesterday, spokesperson for the force said: “Officers are responding to an incident at Altrincham Interchange. At approximately 6.20pm this evening (26 March 2026) an unknown powder was thrown on a man.
“Emergency services attended and at this time no injuries have been reported however he has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
“A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and possession of class B drugs, and remains in custody for questioning.”
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The Bee Network confirmed at around 7.30pm that the interchange was closed to bus services until further notice. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to your journey,” a statement read online. It later reopened at around 9pm.
Golf star Tiger Woods has been involved in a car crash in Florida, police have confirmed.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the collision on Jupiter Island, which took place on Friday just after 14:00 local time (about 19:00 GMT).
One person is stable, while another refused to go to hospital. Woods’ condition is not yet known as no further details have been released.
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Police are scheduled to give an update at about 21:00 GMT.
This is not the first time Woods, 50, has been involved in a car accident – the 15-time major champion has played a limited schedule since a 2021 crash that left him with extensive injuries and fortunate to be alive.
In 2017 police officers found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home.
A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana’s active ingredient, and he was sentenced to a year’s probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving.
The discovery was made on Oldham Street on Thursday, March 26, after officers executed a warrant at the property.
Two men, aged 39 and 61, were arrested on suspicion of producing Class B drugs and have since been bailed pending further investigation.
Inspector Emma Allpress of GMP’s City of Manchester district said: “Being able to take such a significant quantity of illegal drugs off our streets is another step in the right direction towards keeping our communities safe.
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“We regularly receive complaints about cannabis use, including reports of people intimidating others and openly using the drug in public.
“Thousands of pounds worth of illicit material from hitting the streets – derailing future criminal endeavours for the cultivation and supply of drugs in the City of Manchester and further afield.
“This would not have been possible without the support of the community, helping us direct our efforts where needed most.
“A cannabis operation has been dismantled, and we have made a number of arrests however if you have any further information, please contact ourselves.”
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The plants have since been destroyed.
Police have thanked the public for their information and urged anyone with further details to come forward to help with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call 101 or use the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
The trousers can be bought with a matching waistcoat for a chic look
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
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Throughout the warmer months, it can be hard to style outfits that feel comfortable in hot weather and look good. A nice pair of light and airy trousers are a great option to have in your wardrobe throughout the spring and summer.
The matching waistcoat is described as a “versatile layering piece” and has a button up fastening “for a classic finish”. The trousers are being sold for £19.50 and the waistcoat costs £16 making the co-ord cost less than £40 for the whole look.
The trousers and waistcoat were posted to the Tesco F&F Instagram page, which currently has 888K followers. The post was captioned: “Effortlessly chic in chocolate brown. Elevate your spring style with relaxed tailoring and luxe textures. #FandFClothing #StyleItOut.”
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If you want to pick up either the trousers or waistcoat in time for the summer months, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its clothes. You can also go in person to a Tesco store with a clothing department.
If this set is not quite what you are looking for, Boden has plenty of choices for the new season. There is this Nell Kimono Midi Jersey Dress, which would be nice to wear on holiday, or these Islington Linen Shorts that might be good for the beach and can be worn with the matching Sadie Relaxed Linen Shirt.
Perilous journey has heart, humour and horror alongaside brilliant bond between leading man and rock puppet.
Having read, and been a big fan of, Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary book, I was really looking forward to seeing what The Lego Movie and 22 Jump Street co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller would do with the magical material.
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I was slightly fearful that, given the helmers’ comedic background, they would turn things into too much of a joke as there was some really serious stuff going down in Weir’s work.
Fortunately, they stay clear of overdoing the humour while still dishing out a number of genuinely hilarious moments.
It was a wise move getting writer Drew Goddard on board as he did a wonderful job with the 2015 movie adaptation of Weir’s The Martian .
Ryan Gosling plays science teacher Ryland Grace who wakes up alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth.
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As his memory slowly returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun – and save Earth.
Gosling was an inspired, perfect choice as Ryland . Whether mystified or terrified, charming and jokey or serious and stern, this a flawed, definitively human protagonist thrust into out-of-this-world experiences.
Also perfect was the move to use puppetry and animatronics to bring Ryland’s alien buddy Rocky (James Ortiz) to life.
This lends Rocky a realness CGI couldn’t match and the central relationship between Ryland and Rocky , which we witness fully rendered from start to finish, is achingly beautiful.
Flashbacks fill in the gaps for Ryland and the audience, and feature a multi-layered turn from Sandra Hüller ( Eva ), although much of the science speak may fly over your head.
The visuals are stunning but, inevitably, evoke comparisons with other genre flicks Interstellar , Gravity and the aforementioned The Martian .
The climax is a suitably tense race-against-time mixed with friendship at its finest.
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Project Hail Mary isn’t quite an all-timer touchdown, however it packs in heart, horrors and heavy decisions on the titular spacecraft and back home.
And it’ll be hard to beat the bond between Ryan Gosling and a rock puppet for cinematic relationship of the year.
● Email ian.bunting@reachplc.com with your movie recommendations.
● Project Hail Mary is showing in cinemas now.
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Salford council issued the licence to Pigwa International Grocery, based at 141-143 Manchester Road East in Little Hulton, during a hearing on March 25.
The applicant, Hoshiar Karimi, was joined at the hearing by his designated premises supervisor, Beata Filipek.
They told councillors that the majority of their customers are residents from Poland and other parts of eastern Europe.
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They said they want to open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Sundays.
The applicants said: “We’re a small family shop, it’s more like a Polish shop, we have products such as dairy, meat, vegetables.
“We’re asking for permission for a licence which would be a small part of the shop. It’s for the clients coming to the shop who want to buy the products.
“We have challenge 25, we will have a CCTV camera, everywhere where we have the alcohol.”
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They added: “This is a Polish store so we need Polish alcohol as well for the community.”
An objection was made at the hearing by Daryoush Adineh, a shopkeeper in the area for more than 20 years.
He said there is an informal agreement between his shop and Bargain Booze not to sell any alcohol before 11am.
He went on: “There are some very vulnerable people there, I remember 15 years ago at 7 o’clock in the morning before I opened the shop, there were four or five alcohol dependent people waiting for me to sell them cheap cider.
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“Me and my wife decided to stop selling alcohol before 11 o’clock just to help those vulnerable people.
“Even if you can mix bleach with water and sell it to them, they would buy it from you.
“My license starts from 6 in the morning but we don’t sell alcohol until 11o’clock, the same for Bargain Booze, because of those vulnerable people.”
The applicant and objector had the chance to give statements and ask questions during the licensing hearing.
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The hearing was chaired by Cllr Chioma Mgbeokwere, who was joined by councillors Yolande Ghola and Michael Pevitt.
The objector added at the hearing: “My concern is selling alcohol at 8 o’clock in the morning, 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock, there are some very vulnerable people there.
“They break into people’s homes to steal money just to pay for alcohol, I don’t want our local community to be part of that, I have heard of those people for the past 20 years.
“There is nothing against that particular shop, but please do not destroy what we built, me and Bargain Booze, for the past 20 years.
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“We stick to that promise we made to each other, I won’t sell alcohol before 11 o’clock.”
Summarising, he said: “I am asking you, please do not allow a shop to sell alcohol in our area from eight o’clock in the morning.”
Before making a decision on the application, Cllr Mgbeokwere said: “From what I’ve heard about what you’ve said, it’s about community.
“It’s protecting that community and working together, there is space for everybody.
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“With your 21 years’ experience there’s always room to help smaller businesses to show this is the way it works in the community.
“It’s all about supporting each other. Having said that, we’ve listened to you and everything that you’ve had to say.”
The panel decided to grant the premises licence to Pigwa International Grocery.
Jimmy Nicol, a volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park, and Gardens in Staindrop secured third place in VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar award.
The award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to create memorable visitor experiences and promote tourism across England.
Tim Dodgson, public engagement and learning officer at Raby Estates, said: “Jimmy is one of the most caring people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside and it’s a fantastic achievement for him to come third in such an important national competition.
“His endearing character and enthusiasm for Raby and the region shines through in everything he does and we’re lucky to have him as part of the team.”
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null (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Mr Nicol was shortlisted after winning the Durham Tourism Superstar award in 2025, organised by Visit County Durham.
He was nominated by a colleague who praised his passion and commitment, describing him as an ambassador not just for Raby Castle but for the whole North East.
Mr Nicol said: “Being part of the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar competition has been a truly incredible experience and I am immensely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to vote for me.
“Representing Raby and the region was a huge honour and finishing in the top three is something that I will be forever proud of.”
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Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, said: “Jimmy is a fantastic example of the incredible people who make County Durham such a special place to visit.
“His warmth, knowledge, and genuine passion for Raby Castle, as well as the wider county, leave a lasting impression on everyone he meets.”
Mr Nicol has volunteered at Raby Castle since 2018.
A pair of the best women’s running trainers can make all the difference to protect your joints, hit personal bests and feel comfortable on every run. As a personal trainer, runner and fitness journalist, I’ve tested countless pairs and I can confidently say that the right shoes can transform your performance, helping you to reach your fitness goals.
Whether you’re after responsive cushioning for long-distance comfort, lightweight speed for sprints, or even extra stability that will support feet and joints, there’s something in this list for every runner, with brands including Hoka, Brooks and New Balance. With running shoes now costing more than ever, I’ve been sure to include some more affordable options that offer good value for money too.
This guide is regularly checked and updated so you know you’re being recommended the best.
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The best running shoes for women: At a glance
How to choose the best running shoes for women
The right pair of running shoes can enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. When selecting shoes, comfort and support should be top priorities, as these directly affect stability and running form.
In addition, pay close attention to heel and arch support. These features help to keep the foot secure and prevent it from rolling inward or outward during movement. Proper stability is especially important for maintaining balance and avoiding strain on the ankles and knees.
Look for shoes that provide adequate bounce and shock absorption. Good cushioning reduces the impact on joints and can make longer runs more comfortable. Runners who are prone to knee or hip discomfort may find this feature particularly beneficial.
Ground feel, or in other words, the ability to sense the surface underfoot, also plays a role in choosing the right shoe. Some runners prefer a more natural stride with greater feedback from the ground, while others may prioritise extra cushioning for comfort over long distances.
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Lastly, consider durability. Running shoes can be a significant investment, so it’s worth choosing a pair made from quality materials that can withstand many miles without showing early signs of wear.
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