North Korea has remained in the lowest tier for human trafficking and forced labor for the 23rd consecutive year.

In the "Trafficking in Persons Report 2025" released by the United States Department of State on Tuesday, North Korea remained a Tier 3, the lowest ranking, alongside 12 other countries, including China, Russia, Iran, Cuba and Afghanistan.

The report stated that North Korea does not meet the minimum standards and has shown no meaningful efforts to address human trafficking. 

The report also revealed that the North Korean government engaged in human trafficking by mobilizing adults and children for political and labor reform camps and by confiscating wages from overseas North Korean workers.

North Korea has been classified as Tier 3 every year since 2003, while South Korea returned to Tier 1 last year.