Politics across the world in 2020 is, to put it mildly, a mess. 

With individuals across the length and breadth of the political spectrum arguing over everything from rights to representatives, thereâs one common sentiment youâll find everywhere from Mumbai to Mexico - that absolutely no one wants to live in North Korea.

No one, except for dictator Kim Jong Un, of course - whoâs now in his 9th year at the helm of one of the modern worldâs most horrific and brutal regimes - and who has recently made headlines for his reported hospitalisation.

As Kim Jong-un's whereabouts remain unknown, world leaders say their thoughts are with the members of his family who haven't been fed to dogs or blown up with anti-tank missiles.

â Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) April 28, 2020

Good riddance, says the world. Before we potentially say goodbye to the infamous dictator, itâs well worth reminding ourselves of the barbaric and often violent punishments heâs inflicted on others - usually for things weâd never expect to be reprimanded for in most countries. 

Here are 5 of the cruellest and most unusual of them all: 

1. Incarcerated For Failing To Save Regime Leadersâ Portraits

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Earlier this January, social media went in uproar against the NK regime, when stories surfaced of a mother who saved her children from a house fire in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province. 

The woman was jailed and placed under investigation by the Ministry of State Security (MSS) for failing to save portraits of Kim Jong Unâs ancestors, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong-Il.

Tragically, she failed to save them because of having to choose between irking the government and her childrenâs lives.

2. Starved & Kept In Poor Homes For Failing To Bring Back Olympic Glory

© Reuters

Back during the 2016 Rio Olympics, the North Korean contingent bagged a total of seven medals at the event in Brazil, but this wasnât enough to impress the eccentric dictator. 

Reports from North Korea suggest that this performance may have led to athletes facing the wrath of the dictator, who wanted them to return with at least five gold medals and 12 other medals.

The athletes were reportedly punished by being forced into smaller, poor quality homes, slashed food rations and in some cases, being sent into coal mines as forced labourers.

3. Bombarded By Mortars For Partying At The Wrong Time

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When Kim Jong Un ascended to the leadership of North Korea in 2011, he wasted no time in eliminating political opponents - beginning with his uncle and his supporters. 

In order to make this easier, he enforced a âperiod of mourningâ after his fatherâs death - where any form of celebration was outlawed.

When non-supportive Army Vice-Minister Kim Chol was discovered âpartying and carousing with alcoholâ during the mourning period, Jong Un had a simple order for the execution squad - âleave no trace of him behind, down to his hair.â 

The squad then proceeded to literally blow the man apart using explosive mortar shells.

4. Executed With Anti-Aircraft Guns For Making A Porn Video

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Back in 2017, a NK defector came out in international media with horrific stories of civilians being forced to watch brutal public executions to keep them in line. 

She said she was among 10,000 people once forced to watch the execution of musicians accused of making a pornographic video, at Pyongyangâs military academy.

She told the Daily Mirror, âThey were lashed to the end of anti-aircraft guns. Their bodies were blown to bits, totally destroyed, blood and bits flying everywhere. And then after that military tanks moved in and they ran over the bits on the ground where the remains lay.â

Grisly stuff.

5. Jailed And, Presumably, Put In A Coma For âStealingâ A Propaganda Poster

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American student Otto Warmbier entered North Korea as part of a guided tour group on December 29, 2015. 

On January 2, 2016, he was arrested at Pyongyang International Airport while awaiting departure from the country and convicted of attempting to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel, for which he was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment with hard labour.

When Warmbier was finally released 17 months later, he was found to be in a vegetative state - which NK authorities attributed to sleeping pills and botulism. Downright chilling.

Sure not going to miss this guy if and when he goes, thatâs for sure.

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