Dhaka, Feb. 3 -- Songbun is a socio-political classification system in North Korea. This system has been in operation in North Korea for a long time for dividing and grouping the people. It has been undermining the rights of North Koreans by putting them in an unequal position in respect of the state-sponsored benefits, facilities and opportunities. Has this Songbun system been in line withthe international human rights norms and standards, and the constitution of North Korea?

According to the Human Rights Watch, "the North Korean government first developed the songbun system between 1957 and 1960 as North Korean founder Kim-Il Sung consolidated power over what would become one of the world's most repressive states. The state used the sy...