A judgment may also be handed down in relation to a person who has received a term of reform
through labour under 3 years to suspend the execution of a penalty handed down to pay
compensation for between 3 years and 5 years.
Article 53 (Legal Effect of Suspension of Execution of Penalty)
A person who has received a suspension of execution of penalty has not committed a new crime
during the period of suspension, it shall be recognised that the judgment handed down in respect
of him or her has ended. However, if he or she commits a new crime or a hidden crime is
revealed, a penalty shall be determined in relation to the crime for which the execution of penalty
was suspended and the whole or part of that penalty shall be added to the penalty determined for
the newly committed crime or the hidden crime.
Article 54 (Special Pardon, General Pardon)
The penalty of a person who has been found guilty may be cancelled by a special pardon or a
general pardon. Special pardons shall be executed by the First Chairman of the National Defence
Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. General pardons shall be executed
by the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Article 55 (Reduction of Penalty and Release before Expiration of Term)
A person who has received a limited term of reform through labour or short-term labour who has
shown exemplary behaviour during the period of penalty execution may have his or her term of
penalty reduced.
If a person who has received a penalty of life-time term of reform through labour, a limited term
of reform through labour, or short-term labour is recognised to be completely re-educated, the
penalty executed may be reduced by half the term of penalty received for limited term of reform
through labour and short-term labour, and after 10 years for a life-term of reform through labour.
Article 56 (Legal Status of a Person who has Completed Serving his or her Penalty)
A person who has received a special pardon or a general pardon, or a person who has completed
serving his or her penalty shall receive no legal discrimination in the same way as a person who
has not committed a crime from the day he or she received the special pardon or the general
pardon or the day the penalty finishes.
Article 57 (Time Limit for Criminal Prosecution)
Criminal liability shall not be imposed if the following time period passes from the time the
crime was committed:
1. 3 years for crimes that attract short-term labour less than 1 year;
2. 5 years for crimes that attract a term of reform through labour of less than 3 years;