This chapter discusses state slavery as a form of contemporary enslavement, defining it as the state's exercise of ownership-like powers over citizens for political and economic ends. It traces two manifestations in North Korea: Soviet-style gulag camps that use starvation-level rations and forced labor for infrastructure, mining and export, and indefinite conscription and servitude for elite benefit and development projects. The chapter examines the debate over whether these camps constitute slavery or forced labor, applying international definitions and the Bellagio-Harvard Guidelines to highlight control, coercion, and exploitation. It outlines challenges in holding state slavers accountable, noting that nuclear-threat priorities and China's strategic interests block International Criminal Court referral and humanitarian intervention. Finally, the chapter argues that recognizing state slavery is essential to closing impunity gaps and spurring effective international legal responses.
