North Korea Slams U.S. Human Trafficking Report as Grave Provocation

North Korea has expressed strong disapproval of a recent U.S. government report that criticizes its human trafficking practices, labeling it a 'grave politically-motivated provocation.' The U.S. State Department's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report placed North Korea in the lowest Tier 3 category, alongside countries like China and Russia, marking the 24th consecutive year it has been categorized this way.

A spokesperson from North Korea's foreign ministry stated that the report is filled with 'lies, fabrications, prejudice, and hostility,' asserting that it reflects Washington's hostile policy towards Pyongyang. The spokesperson further claimed that the U.S. is attempting to politicize human rights to justify interference in North Korea's internal affairs.

The report alleges that North Korea maintains a system of political repression, including human trafficking in political prison camps and labor training centers. It also highlights the exploitation of North Koreans working abroad under harsh conditions, often without access to their passports.

In response, North Korea denounced the report as an attack on its sovereignty and the rights of its citizens, threatening counteractions against the U.S. for what it perceives as a serious threat to its national interests.