Recent testimonies related to PPC No. 18 reveal that part of PPC No.
18 was removed from restriction and some of the prisoners were transferred
to PPC No. 14. PPC No. 18 was then moved to Sunchang-dong, Kaechon
County. However, the available information from these testimonies fails to
confirm whether it was a case of a complete or simply a partial relocation of
PPC. 18.
“No. 22 sits in a wide basin and is twice the size of No. 13.
At that time (1990-91), No. 22, the Control Center at Hweryong, was
the largest of all PPCs. This place was Unit 2209, Korean People’s
Security Guard, under the control of the 7th Bureau, SSA.” (Ahn
Myong-chul, former guard from Camp No. 22)
“No. 22 includes the areas of Chungbong (incorporated in
1981), Sawul and Haengyong. You must take a train from Hweryong
bound for Hakpo Mine (Sechon Workers’ District). From there you
must go about 6 kilometers further into a valley. The village for camp
officers’ families is in Chungbong-ni. This was originally a normal area.
When I was a small boy and in the 4th year grade in primary people’s
school, the Chungbong Mine became a control district and many
prisoners arrived in cargo trains. They were dispersed and settled in
several districts such as Sawul and Haengyong. Lately, a resident in
Hweryong told me that No. 22 has been relocated.” (A02, a family
member of camp official No. 22, 1994)
PPC No. 22 has generally been regarded as the largest PPC in
terms of scale and number of prisoners. Lately, some witnesses testify that
part of it has been relocated. Further information is required for a final
determination of the current status of PPC No.22.
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