Human rights · Detention
North Korea’s prison camps
Two systems. Political prison camps (kwanliso) hold whole families without trial, many for life. Prisons (kyohwaso) hold people sentenced by courts for things like trading, smuggling or trying to escape.
Political prison camps 9
Run by the secret police (Ministry of State Security). No trial. Three generations of a family can be sent together.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 14, Kaechon14호 개천 관리소 · South Pyongan Province
Total control zone where prisoners are never released. Shin Dong-hyuk (Escape from Camp 14) says he was born here.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 25, Chongjin25호 청진 관리소 · North Hamgyong Province
Political prison camp on the edge of Chongjin. Satellite imagery showed new guard posts and buildings in the 2010s.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 15, Yodok15호 요덕 관리소 · South Hamgyong Province
Had a "revolutionizing zone" from which some prisoners were released, which is why most early camp testimony comes from here. Kang Chol-hwan (The Aquariums of Pyongyang) was held here as a child.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 16, Hwasong16호 화성 관리소 · North Hamgyong Province
The largest known political prison camp, a few km from the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Tens of thousands of prisoners estimated.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 22, Hoeryong22호 회령 관리소 · North Hamgyong Province
Once one of the largest camps. Closed around 2012. What happened to its prisoners is unknown.
© Esri, MaxarCamp 18, Pukchang18호 북창 관리소 · South Pyongan Province
Mining camp across the river from Camp 14. Reports suggest it was closed or merged in the 2000s, though parts may still be used.
© Esri, MaxarFacility at I-gol이골 수용 시설 · South Hamgyong Province
© Esri, MaxarFacility at Udan우단 수용 시설 · North Hamgyong Province
© Esri, MaxarCh’oma-bong Restricted Area처마봉 통제구역 · South Pyongan Province
Prisons (kyohwaso) 15
Run by the regular police (Ministry of Social Security). Fixed sentences, but hunger and forced labor kill many before release.
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 8, Yongdam8호 용담 교화소 · Kangwon Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 11, Chung-san11호 증산 교화소 · South Pyongan Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 7, Kanggye7호 강계 교화소 · Chagang Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 2, Dongrim2호 동림 교화소 · North Pyongan Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 88, Wonsan88호 원산 교화소 · Kangwon Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 9, Hamhung9호 함흥 교화소 · South Hamgyong Province
© Esri, MaxarSunchon Kyo-hwa-so순천 교화소 · South Pyongan Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 8, Sungho-ri8호 승호리 교화소 · Pyongyang
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 3, Sinuiju3호 신의주 교화소 · North Pyongan Province
© Esri, MaxarKyohwaso No. 1, Kaechon1호 개천 교화소 · South Pyongan Province
Re-education prison for people convicted of crimes. Survivors describe forced labor and high death rates.
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 4, Kangdong4호 강동 교화소 · Pyongyang City
Kyo-hwa-so No. 4, Kangdong is located in Chael-kol on the eastern outskirts of Pyongyang close to South Pyongan Province.
© Esri, MaxarKyohwaso No. 12, Chongori12호 전거리 교화소 · North Hamgyong Province
Holds many people forcibly sent back from China after escaping. Testimony describes starvation and abuse, especially of women.
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 6, Sariwon6호 사리원 교화소 · North Hwanghae Province
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 22, Oro22호 영광(오로) 교화소 · South Hamgyong Province
It is believed that Kyo-hwa-so No. 22, Oro was closed around 2008.
© Esri, MaxarKyo-hwa-so No. 77, Danchon77호 단천 교화소 · South Hamgyong Province
It is believed that Kyo-hwa-so No. 77, Danchon was closed around 1997. However, the locations identified here appear to be in operation.