A/HRC/13/47 facilitate early release.21 However, abuses take place in all types of detention and related labour training. Even those who are sent for labour training are reported as witnessing some terrible abuses during their short period of detention. 37. The authorities claim that religious freedom is enjoyed in the country. Yet, it can be recalled that the State is very much based upon the juche ideology which requires worship of the suryong (top leader). This has now been supplemented by the “military first” policy. Interestingly, the authorities allowed concerts to be organized by religious groups from the United States during the year. In reality, the claim of religious freedom is cosmetic and is contradicted by other sources which indicate persecution of religious movements, as the latter are seen as competing with the personality cult of the leader. A woman distributing Bibles was reported to have been killed by the authorities in 2009 and her family was subsequently persecuted.22 38. A number of malpractices, such as kidnapping and abduction, have affected the lives of foreigners and have at times taken place outside the country, through the placement of agents to perpetrate crimes abroad on behalf of the authorities. A number of cases concerning nationals of Japan abducted by agents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remain unresolved and require stronger measures on the part of the country in question to ensure a comprehensive investigation and a transparent and satisfactory outcome. Over 10 countries have been affected by such malpractices. 39. There remain also a number of cases from the Korean War (1950–1953) and thereafter which await transparency and satisfactory resolution. The resumption of family reunion meetings between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea in mid-2009 may also provide another channel for easing tensions and resolving humanitarian issues. 40. On a welcome note, in 2009, two United States journalists arrested and imprisoned by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a worker from the Republic of Korea arrested from the Kaesong industrial zone, and a number of fishermen from the Republic of Korea apprehended by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were released from captivity during the year. The Special Rapporteur recalls that, together with other special rapporteurs, he sent a communication to the country in question to seek clarification and justice for the two journalists prior to their release. The fate of another more recent case of a Korean American who entered the country illegally is now being monitored in 2010. D. Asylum and migration 41. The issue of asylum and migration has probably been the most sensitive issue under this mandate, because it has a cross-border dimension and touches upon the practices of other countries as well as those of the country in question. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has always had a strict policy on the movements of its people both internally and externally. However, during some periods, there has been a slight relaxation of the control imposed on migrants. For example, around 2004, law reform which introduced labour training for those leaving the country without permission — a lighter sanction than the previously used imprisonment — suggests a slight hiatus from severe sanctions. However, developments in 2009 suggest the contrary: sanctions on the border(s) 21 22 GE.10-10793 Stephen Haggard and Marcus Noland, “Repression and punishment in North Korea: survey evidence of prison camp experiences”, East West Center Working Papers, No. 20 (Hawaii, October 2009), p. 4. Information received indicates that she was openly executed on 16 June 2009. 11