Prison Camps in North Korea

• North Korea has, or had a population of 24 million people, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 have ‘disappeared’. On satellite images, one can see a growing network of concentration camps in the country. And witnesses, mostly escapees, can confirm that they are exactly what everyone feared.
• 20-25% of the prison population is believed to die annually.
• People are often executed for a variety of reasons. ALL prisoners MUST watch.
• Prisoners are starved, leading to big heads and bloated stomachs. The supplied food is cornmeal and cabbage gruel. Often prisoners will eat rats and insects which they have caught to keep them alive.
• Categorisation of prisoners exists. If someone was 170cm, they should be 53.5kg-72.2kg. However in the camp the healthiest people (level 1) are 42kg. Once they have dropped to 40kg (level 2), they are moved to a less physically draining task, however it is still too big a strain for most. When they drop to 38kg or less (level 3), they are on the brink of death, and no change to their labour is deemed necessary.
• The average life expectancy, not including deaths under 5yrs old and executions, is 40yrs old. By 45, most woman's backs are bent 90
• Guards often terrorise and torture their captives. More often then not, this is for fun. The methods of torture are appalling. Fire is a common tool, and being eaten alive by the guard's dogs is not unusual. Small accidents and mistakes can lead to loss of fingers, ears and toes. Clock torture is used as a form of entertainment by the guards. Torturees must create a clock time, given to them by the torturer, with their hands. When they have, they are given another one to perform. This continues until they collapse from dehydration.
• Pregnancy is strictly banned unless, as a "reward" you are granted permission and the guards arrange a "marriage". If a woman, without permission, is found to be pregnant, the wards will cut her open, throw away the foetus and THEN execute her.
• They believe in the practice of '3 generation' punishment.This means that if a crime is committed the criminal will be put in a prison camp, as well as their families. If their families have children, those children will grow up in the camps. After 3 generations, their children are free to go.