A Terrifying Look Inside the Nightmarish World Of North Korea’s Prison Camps

Becket Adams

[Authors’ note: The following images are disturbing. Please proceed with caution.]

Rumors of North Korea’s allegedly Holocaust-style concentration camps have long been the source of concern and outrage for some in the West.

Indeed, between firsthand accounts from supposed escapees and disturbing satellite photos that seem to prove the existence of labor camps, it appears North Korea has a terrifying amount of control over its people. And now, a collection of drawings that has seen a recent surge in Internet traffic is drawing attention to the issue once again.

As reports of torture and unspeakable inhumanities continue to leak out of the Hermit Kingdom, a portrait of murder and suppression has slowly emerged — one that has the United Nations Human Rights Council considering an inquiry into possible crimes against humanity.

But although an “inquiry” sounds like a good first step, it may not be enough. If reports from those who say they managed to escape North Korea’s prison system prove accurate, perhaps something stronger than an “inquiry” will be required from the international community.

And speaking of supposed first-hand accounts, CBS News’ “60 Minutes” in December sat down with Shin Dong-hyuk, an escapee who claims he was born, raised, tortured, and starved in Camp 14, the most notorious of North Korea’s “political prisons.”

Shin Dong-hyuk

His story is terrifying:

In case you don’t have time to watch Dong-hyuk recount his life as a prisoner, here are some illustrations from another ​alleged escapee that seem to corroborate his claims (note: the source of these drawings has not yet been confirmed):

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