N. Korea remains among 17 worst human trafficking countries: State Dept.

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, June 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea remains one of the worst countries in
human trafficking, along with 16 other nations, the U.S. State Department said
Tuesday.

The number of countries being sanctioned by the U.S. was expanded to 17 from last
year's 14,
according to the "Trafficking in Persons Report 2009," the ninth annual report
presented to Congress. It attributed the increase to worsening economic conditions
globally.
Financial sanctions and a ban on humanitarian aid are imposed on countries that
are listed for two straight years.
The countries include Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Eritrea, Mauritania, Niger, and Swaziland.
The report also put 35 countries, mostly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, on
the watch list. Those are not subject to sanctions.
The report said the "impacts of the human trafficking are devastating."
"Victims may suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats against self and
family, and even death," it said. "But the devastation extends beyond individual
victims; human trafficking undermines the health, safety, and security of all
nations it touches."
hdh@yna.co.kr
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