North Korea has threatened the United States with tough measures in response to the publication of the US State Department’s 2026 human trafficking report. Pyongyang considers the document a manifestation of Washington’s hostile policy towards the DPRK.
This was stated in a declaration by North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, published by the state news agency KCNA.
North Korea’s foreign policy ministry described the report as a “politically motivated provocation” and said the US campaign allegedly threatens the DPRK’s sovereignty and the interests of its citizens.
“We will never regard the publication of the US report as a routine annual practice, but as a continuation of hostile policy towards the DPRK and an attempt to overthrow our social system,” the ministry said.
Pyongyang also claims that Washington’s policy is one of the reasons North Korea intends to strengthen its military capabilities to defend state sovereignty.
“The DPRK will double its efforts to neutralise hostile actions by the United States, hold to account those who commit malicious acts, and ensure justice while defending its sovereignty and social system,” the statement said.
According to the US State Department’s 2026 human trafficking report, North Korea was included in a list of 12 countries where policies or patterns of human trafficking have been documented within state-funded programmes of forced labour, sexual slavery, or the recruitment of child soldiers.
The list also includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Russia.