Several cases of infant abandonment have emerged across North Korea in recent months, with babies being discovered in remote rural areas of the country.
Multiple sources told Daily NK recently that locals have been finding abandoned infants in the countryside. On Sept. 12, a newborn wrapped in swaddling clothes was discovered in a cornfield in Tokchon village, Unchon county, South Hwanghae province. Three days earlier, on Sept. 9, another abandoned infant was found in a bag in nearby Namsan village. Both babies were dead when discovered.
In Hongwon county, South Hamgyong province, two cases of infant abandonment have occurred since August. Most recently, on Sept. 10, a one-year-old wrapped in a blanket was left in a secluded location. That child was found alive and in good health.
Government addresses growing crisis
Sources noted these abandonment cases are primarily happening in rural areas, where living conditions are particularly harsh. The situation has shocked North Koreans, who are disturbed to learn that some parents unable to support their children are making the desperate decision to abandon them.
“While child abandonment wasn’t unheard of before, the back-to-back cases in recent months have stirred up society. These tragedies are happening because hungry families in the countryside can’t raise children,” said a source in South Hwanghae province.
The timing is especially telling. “Fall is harvest season, so it’s typically when people worry least about their next meal. The fact that this tragedy is happening now shows how tough things have become,” the source explained. “Even after a good harvest, farmers are lucky to have a few months of food after giving the government its share. They’re falling deeper into debt, and these worsening countryside conditions are behind these terrible tragedies.”
The source pointed to limited reproductive healthcare access as a contributing factor: “Women who can’t afford to raise children should get IUDs, but even that’s beyond rural families’ reach. When they get pregnant, they can’t afford abortions either. That’s why many women abandon their babies after birth.”
Sometimes women with unwanted pregnancies make informal arrangements with better-off infertile women, handing over children immediately after birth, the source added.
“Hamhung and other cities and counties in the province recently held lectures about the increasing number of struggling families abandoning or giving away babies. The lectures called this disturbing trend a serious issue. You have to assume incidents are pretty frequent if the government is holding lectures and promising to stamp out this behavior,” said another source in South Hamgyong province.
North Koreans attending these lectures reportedly are demanding authorities address root causes and find solutions. “Stern scolding won’t stop this behavior. It’s wrong to abandon babies, but we must acknowledge these parents feel they have no choice,” one person remarked.
“No mother would willingly give up her child. The desperate poverty in the countryside is driving people to make awful choices,” the source concluded.
