Fundamental Rights of Citizens



The DPRK practically guarantees the people genuine political freedom and rights according to the fundamental requirement of the Juche idea for enhancing man's independence and creativity in every way.

In the DPRK the rights and duties of citizens are based on the collectivist principle, "One for all and all for one." The Socialist Constitution of the DPRK specifies that the state effectively guarantees all the conditions for the democratic rights and liberties as well as the material and cultural well-being of the citizens.

All the citizens who have reached 17 years of age have the right to elect and to be elected, irrespective of sex, race, occupation, length of residence, property status, education, party affiliation, political views and religion. They also have freedom of speech, the press, assembly, demonstration and association, freedom of religious beliefs and they are entitled to submit complaints and petitions.

The workers, peasants and other working people, as masters of power, participate in state administration and freely engage in socio-political activities in political parties and public organizations.

The working people have the right to work and rest, the right to education and free medical care and freedom of scientific, literary and artistic pursuits. Women are accorded equal social status and rights with men. The state affords special privilege to mothers and children. Marriage and the family are protected by the state.

The working people are guaranteed inviolability of the person and the home and privacy of correspondence. The rights and freedom of citizens steadily increase with the consolidation and development of the socialist system.