UK sanctions North Korea's Songdowon camp over alleged role in Ukrainian child deportation

Britain has imposed asset-freeze sanctions on North Korea's Songdowon International Children's Camp, saying it suspects the facility of supporting Russia's programme of forced deportation and re-education of Ukrainian children.

North Korea has condemned the move, calling it a politically motivated insult and an attempt to damage its image.

The Foreign Office said the camp was linked to actions that undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

The sanctions were announced on 11 May, while North Korea's response was issued on Friday.

The dispute centres on allegations that children from occupied areas of Ukraine were taken to the camp and exposed to political indoctrination.

A 2025 report by the Ukraine-based Regional Centre for Human Rights said two children from occupied regions, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, were sent there.

The report said the children were taught to "destroy Japanese militarists" and met veterans involved in a 1968 attack on a US Navy ship.

North Korea's state-run news agency said Britain was making an "intolerable insult" and accused it of trying to tarnish relations between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The camp is believed to have been established to promote North Korea's political system to young visitors.

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