The work of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was hampered as a result of fear of reprisals against anyone cooperating with the Commission, or their relatives still residing in the country. The fear of reprisals was experienced by alleged victims, experts on the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, aid workers, journalists and diplomats. As a result, the Commission heard publicly only from alleged victims and witnesses who had no close family left in the country and were otherwise deemed not to be at too high a risk.