N. Korea: 120 Prisoners Escape From Gulag

120 prisoners escaped en masse from 'Camp No. 16' at Hwasung, N. Hamkyong Province, which is a labor camp for political prisoners. This is an extraordinary event which prompted N. Korean authorities to mobilize State Security Dept., Public Security Ministry (police), and military to hunt down escapes, according to multiple sources inside N. Korea.

Inside sources from Chongjin, N. Hamkyong Province, revealed on Feb. 1 and Feb. 5, "On Dec. 20 of last year, 120 prisoners from a camp at Hwasung County escaped, leading to high alert at State Security Dept. and police. Currently, many extra checkpoints are set up in N. Hamkyong Province, checking travel pass for vehicles and travelers."

N. Korean labor camps for prisoners are ringed with layers of obstacles, and residents in surrounding villages are drilled to their head to report any escapees and escapees face brutal punishment, all of which make escape nearly impossible. It is quite unusual to have mass escape like this.

One source said, "An acquaintance, who is a security official at provincial security dept., told me that political prisoners jumped from Hwasung camp. The escapees are said to number over 120."

The sources said that there was significant outside help. Escapees used large steel saw provided from outside to cut (barbed) wire fences, and neutralized camp guards with clubs.

They said, "The outsiders not only provided steel saw but also escape get-away vehicle(s.) Most of escapees are those who once attempted to go to S. Korea from China, but (got caught) and repatriated to N. Korea, and sent to the camp.

According to those who were once in such a camp, N. Korea's camp for political prisoners are different from an ordinary prison. It is located in the remote mountain area, and resembles like a village. Its area is as large as a few villages put together. To prevent escape, it is surrounded with wire fences at 2~3 meter high. There are guard towers and guards are on watch for 24 hours.

In addition to guards, there are 'search squads' around a camp, and people in its neighborhood are given awards for turning in escapees.

The escape was successful this time because escapees were able to quickly get out of the camp's vicinity using get-away vehicle(s) along with other outside help.

21 escapees were said to be caught during house-to-house search afterwards.