Origin of Prison Camps & Hardships
The origin of prison camps in North Korea was to confine people who are against the regime of North Korean leaders. In 1947, there were 17 forced labor camps and Kim Il-Sung, the previous president of North Korea, used these camps to enslave people who are against his regime. Prison camps increased as the North Korean government also imprisoned family members of those who are on the side of South Korea during the Korean War.
The end of the Korean War, left North Korea with a crippled economy as South Korea, Russia, and China put an end to their trades with North Korea in the early 1900s. Resulting, a famine in North Korea after several natural disasters occurred. In the year 1995, the North Korean government encouraged their citizens to eat grass, tree roots, and other alternative food in order to combat the famine. Many health problems arise as more citizens develop digestive problems, and suffer from malnutrition. By 1996, alternative food made up 30% of the people's diet. Based on Anti-Slavery International, 93% of the North Koreans said that food shortages and economic hardship are the main reasons for them to escape from North Korea to seek a better life for their family.
Many Korean families decided to escape to China though the Tumen River, that was strictly guarded. Some are captured during their escape. Some are are arrested in China or South Korea and transported to prison camps because they are now considered to be traitors to their country by crossing borders. About 50% of the largest camps’ population are composed of people who are family members of the people who are accused of disloyalty to the state. According to article 233 under the law of North Korea, "A person who unlawfully crosses the frontier of the Republic shall be sentenced to a labor training institution for up to two years. In cases where the person commits an extremely grave offense, he or she shall be committed for up to three years in a re- education through labor institution." Aside from border crossing, a person could be sent to prison camps with no knowledge of their crimes.
The origin of prison camps in North Korea was to confine people who are against the regime of North Korean leaders. In 1947, there were 17 forced labor camps and Kim Il-Sung, the previous president of North Korea, used these camps to enslave people who are against his regime. Prison camps increased as the North Korean government also imprisoned family members of those who are on the side of South Korea during the Korean War.
The end of the Korean War, left North Korea with a crippled economy as South Korea, Russia, and China put an end to their trades with North Korea in the early 1900s. Resulting, a famine in North Korea after several natural disasters occurred. In the year 1995, the North Korean government encouraged their citizens to eat grass, tree roots, and other alternative food in order to combat the famine. Many health problems arise as more citizens develop digestive problems, and suffer from malnutrition. By 1996, alternative food made up 30% of the people's diet. Based on Anti-Slavery International, 93% of the North Koreans said that food shortages and economic hardship are the main reasons for them to escape from North Korea to seek a better life for their family.
Many Korean families decided to escape to China though the Tumen River, that was strictly guarded. Some are captured during their escape. Some are are arrested in China or South Korea and transported to prison camps because they are now considered to be traitors to their country by crossing borders. About 50% of the largest camps’ population are composed of people who are family members of the people who are accused of disloyalty to the state. According to article 233 under the law of North Korea, "A person who unlawfully crosses the frontier of the Republic shall be sentenced to a labor training institution for up to two years. In cases where the person commits an extremely grave offense, he or she shall be committed for up to three years in a re- education through labor institution." Aside from border crossing, a person could be sent to prison camps with no knowledge of their crimes.