Hwasong concentration camp
| Hwasong concentration camp | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 화성 제16호 관리소 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Hwaseong Je16ho Gwalliso |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hwasŏng Che16ho Kwalliso |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 화성 정치범수용소 |
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Hwaseong Jeongchibeom Suyongso |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hwasŏng Chŏngch'ibŏm Suyongso |
Hwasong concentration camp (Chosŏn'gŭl: 화성 제16호 관리소, also spelled Hwasŏng or Hwaseong) is a labor camp in North Korea for political prisoners. The official name is Kwan-li-so (Penal-labor colony) No. 16.
The camp is located in Hwasong County (Myonggan County), North Hamgyong Province in North Korea. It is situated along the upper reaches of the Hwasong River in a secluded mountain valley. The western border is Mantapsan, a 2,205-metre-high (7,234 ft) mountain. On the north and east sides, the camp reaches the Orangchon River valley. The entrance gate is right on the Hwasong River and on the road from Hwasong, 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Hwasong-up (Myonggan-up). The camp is not included in maps, but the entrance gate and the ring fence with watchtowers can be recognized on satellite images.
Hwasong camp is a penal-labor colony in which detainees are imprisoned for life with no chance to be released. With around 549 km2 (212 sq mi) in area it is the largest prison camp in North Korea. Puhwa-ri (Chosŏn'gŭl: 부화리), 4 km (2.5 mi) north of the entrance gate, is the camp headquarters. The number of prisoners is estimated at 20,000. They are classified as "anti-revolutionary and anti-party elements" and held on charges such as opposing the succession of Kim Jong-il. Many of the prisoners are merely family members of suspected wrong-doers, who are held captive in a “guilt-by-association” punishment. It is believed that the camp was founded in the 1990s.
Prisoners are exploited for hard, dangerous, and deadly labor in mining, logging and agriculture. According to Mr. Lee, a former security officer in Hwasong camp, the inmates were overworked and had very little time to rest. Prisoners had to work all day until they fulfilled their quotas and attend self-criticism meetings afterwards. Often they were allowed to sleep only four hours in the night. Mr. Lee witnessed many fatal accidents in the workplace.
The North Korean nuclear tests made in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016 at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site is just 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west of the camp border. Several defectors reported that political prisoners were forced to dig tunnels and build underground facilities in areas exposed to nuclear radiation.
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