| Onsong concentration camp | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 온성 제12호 관리소 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Onseong Je Sipi-ho Gwalliso |
| McCune–Reischauer | Onsŏng Che Sibi-ho Kwalliso |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 온성 정치범수용소 |
| Hancha | |
| Revised Romanization | Onseong Jeongchibeum Suyongso |
| McCune–Reischauer | Onsŏng Chŏngch'ibŏm Suyongso |
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TheOnsong concentration camp was aninternment camp in Changpyong,Onsong County,North Hamgyong,North Korea. It housed approximately 15,000political prisoners. The camp was officially known asConcentration Camp (Kwan-li-so) No. 12.
Although information about the camp is scarce, twodefectors have alleged the forcible suppression of a largeriot 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 withmachine 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 toHoeryong concentration camp.[2]
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)| Political prison camps (Kwalliso) | | |
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| Reeducation camps (Kyohwaso) | ||
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