North Korea: 80 people killed for watching TV and owning bible

Some 80 people were publicly executed for minor crimes on November 3 in seven cities in North Korea, according to South Korean media, in the first known large-scale public executions carried out under the Kim Jong-un regime. According to JoongAng Daily, about 10 people each were killed in seven cities, including Wonsan in Kangwon Province, Chongjin in North Hamgyong Province, Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province and Pyongsong in South Pyongan. They were executed for such transgressions as watching or illegally trafficking South Korean videos, being involved in prostitution or distributing pornography, or for being in possession of a Bible. JoongAng Daily reported that eight people, their heads covered with white bags, were tied to stakes at the Shinpoong Stadium in Wonsan where they were executed with machine guns. Some 10,000 people including women and children were gathered by authorities and forced them to watch the execution.