2004-02-01 the gas chamber horror of North Korea's gulag
- when: 2004/02/01 (2004/02/01)
- author: Antony Barnett
- source: The Guardian
- topics: North Korea concentration camps atrocities
- URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/feb/01/northkorea
- title: Revealed: the gas chamber horror of North Korea's gulag
- summary: «...evidence has emerged that the walls of Camp 22 hide ... gas chambers where horrific chemical experiments are conducted on human beings. Witnesses have described watching entire families being put in [gas] chambers and gassed. They are left to an agonising death while scientists take notes.»
Excerpt
In the remote north-eastern corner of North Korea, close to the border of Russia and China, is Haengyong. Hidden away in the mountains, this remote town is home to Camp 22 - North Korea's largest concentration camp, where thousands of men, women and children accused of political crimes are held.
Now, it is claimed, it is also where thousands die each year and where prison guards stamp on the necks of babies born to prisoners to kill them.
Over the past year harrowing first-hand testimonies from North Korean defectors have detailed execution and torture, and now chilling evidence has emerged that the walls of Camp 22 hide an even more evil secret: gas chambers where horrific chemical experiments are conducted on human beings.
Witnesses have described watching entire families being put in [gas] chambers and gassed. They are left to an agonising death while scientists take notes. The allegations offer the most shocking glimpse so far of Kim Jong-il's North Korean regime.
Note: the original article says the families were put in "glass chambers" and gassed, but that makes no sense. I could imagine scientists watching through large plate-glass windows, but I wouldn't call that a "glass chamber". I'm assuming this is a transcription typo, and they meant to say "gas chambers". -W. </let>