Onsong concentration camp

The Onsong concentration camp was an internment camp in Changpyong, Onsong County, North Hamgyong, North Korea. It housed approximately 15,000 political prisoners. The camp was officially known as Concentration Camp (Kwan-li-so) No. 12.

Onsong concentration camp
Chosŏn'gŭl
온성 제12호 관리소
Hancha
Revised RomanizationOnseong Je Sipi-ho Gwalliso
McCune–ReischauerOnsŏng Che Sibi-ho Kwalliso
Chosŏn'gŭl
온성 정치범수용소
Hancha
Revised RomanizationOnseong Jeongchibeum Suyongso
McCune–ReischauerOnsŏng Chŏngch'ibŏm Suyongso
Part of a series on
Human rights in North Korea
Human rights abuses
Political prisons (Kwanliso)
Re-education camps (Kyohwaso)
Abductions and POWs
International reactions

Although information about the camp is scarce, two defectors have alleged the forcible suppression of a large riot in May 1987 at the camp. According to the testimony of Ahn Myong-chol, a guard at a similar camp, and Mun Hyon-il, a nearby resident, the riot started when one political prisoner at the camp killed a guard in protest of the guard's treatment of another prisoner; he was then joined by 200 others at the scene who overcame another guard. At the height of the riot, some 5,000 prisoners were openly in revolt.[1]

Reinforced from a second camp, guards proceeded to open fire on the rioters with machine guns, the defectors have stated. Reports on the number of dead vary; the defectors claim all rioters were executed, while a third defector previously involved with the North Korean security services describes being told of the execution of only a third.[1]

The camp was closed in 1989, a decision thought to be because of its proximity to the border with China. The prisoners were then transferred to Hoeryong concentration camp.[2]

See also

References
  • David Hawk. "The Hidden Gulag" (PDF). U.S. Committee on Human Rights in North Korea.
  1. Kang Chol-hwan (11 December 2002). "5,000 Prisoners Massacred at Onsong Concentration Camp in 1987". Digital Chosun-Ibo. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  2. "2.1.2 History of Each Political Prison Camp (p. 72 - 75)" (PDF). Political Prison Camps in North Korea Today. Database Center for North Korean Human Rights. July 15, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2012.


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