decided, testimonies are needed not only of former prisoners but also from officials who worked for the relevant government branch and have experience in making such decisions. Unfortunately, to this day, no such testimony has been available. Those that carry out this function are special officers of the SSA and none have been known yet to have defected to South Korea. Accordingly, the survey on the process of detention in the PPC was carried out only based on the testimonies by former prisoners. The analysis of data and information available today suggests that the SSA is fully in charge of making decisions and prisoner transfer to the PPC. The survey shows that the SSA is in charge of conducting preliminary and formal investigations, as well as making final decisions regarding the detention and the length of prison terms in accordance with its internal procedures and processes. A study of testimonies shows that the preliminary investigation is concluded when the suspect signs his statement and acknowledges it in the presence of the investigator and his superior (Bureau Chief or his deputy). The final decision on the fate of the one being investigated is made by the senior officer. The suspect is sometimes informed of the decision or transferred to PPC without such information. However, in the absence of public information on the entire process leading to detention in a PPC, rules and laws prescribing such punishment, little information is available on the criteria and legal grounds for such punishment. It is regretted that the present survey has failed to obtain data and information to shed light on the practice and related situations. Simply, It is deduced that such legal specifications are strictly restricted and used internally only by the SSA and other related government organizations. “Before I was sent to PPC Yodok, someone came from SSA Headquarters and asked me to confirm my statement and ink my fingerprint on the document. That was my statement for self-criticism. The papers were this thick (10 cm). I was forced to fingerprint the entire statement page by page. Then, he told me, “Don’t try to escape. Do good job there.” About a week later, they gave me winter clothes, the clothes of other women in the cell as I did not have clothes for winter. Then, I was sent to PPC Yodok (No.15). Later, I learned from my family that they knew nothing about my fate. (A04, former prisoner from Sorimchon, PPC No. 15, 2002~2005) “When they sent me to Yodok, there was no trial, absolutely nothing! Do you know what happened to me? The preliminary investigator gave me this much paper and told me to read it one day. When I was leaving, they told me to sign it. A few days later, I was taken to the office of the Bureau Chief. The chief and other senior officers came in and told me, “You, Prisoner No. 00, stand up!” I stood up. The Bureau Chief read my paper and said you are sentenced to 67