A string of recent deaths in North Korea’s rural areas has been linked to extreme heat during weeding operations.
According to a source in South Hwanghae province recently, a man in his 50s from Jaeryong county and a woman in her 60s from Goksan county, North Hwanghae, both collapsed and died on July 10 while weeding in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95°F).
“Farms adjust work hours to avoid field labor between noon and 3 p.m., but some people still go out to tend their private plots during that time and end up having accidents,” the source explained. “Elderly or malnourished individuals, in particular, can’t withstand the heat and are collapsing.”
The source added that people have been collapsing just from walking down roads in the heat. “These individuals died trying to increase their harvest by working through the scorching sun, hoping to produce more than others,” they said.
Following these incidents, farms have advised residents to refrain from personal farming during peak heat hours. However, many continue forcing themselves to work their private plots despite the dangerous conditions, worried about losing their crops and livelihoods.
Systematic failures under scrutiny
Earlier this month, a man in his 50s collapsed and died while weeding at a farm in Kilju county, North Hamgyong province. His work unit had been mobilized for a “weeding combat” operation, working over four hours under direct sunlight without hats.
Most farmworkers reportedly experienced dizziness but continued working to meet their daily quotas. The man collapsed after quietly enduring the conditions and was immediately taken to the county people’s hospital by fellow workers, but was pronounced dead. Doctors concluded the cause of death was acute heatstroke.
The incident has sparked criticism that the farm forced laborers to continue working despite the heat. The county’s agricultural management committee has launched an investigation into whether farm officials continued operations after receiving heat warnings.
“There’s a high likelihood this wasn’t just a personal health issue, but a death caused by systematic negligence,” a source said. “Authorities are considering administrative measures against responsible farm officials. The committee has warned that similar incidents could happen again and emphasized the need to adjust work hours and expand access to water and shade during heat waves.”
However, skepticism remains among farmworkers. “Orders from above to reduce or halt work during peak heat have long existed, but they’re not enforced on the ground,” one source noted. “Farmworkers are already barely eating and nearing malnutrition, yet the farm keeps telling them to endure it like some political struggle.”
Translated by Kyungmin Kim.
