CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 9 1. The need for and objectives of the research 9 2. Comments on/ evaluation of earlier research studies 10 1) Information from testimonies of North Korean defectors in PPC 11 2) Survey Reports with Analysis of PPC 16 3) Studies on PPC 19 3. Contents and Scope of Survey 1) Survey of Political Prisoners’ Camps (PPC) 4. Method of survey 23 23 30 1) Analysis of documents 30 2) Questionnaire for defectors 31 3) In-depth interviews with North Korean defectors 34 II. Survey of Political Prisoners’ Camps (PPC) 35 1. Concept of PPC and Analysis of Witness Testimonies 35 1) Survey Concepts and Current Condition within PPC 35 2) Analysis of Witnesses to Realities within PPC 41 2. Location, Imprisonment and Process of Release 43 1) Location and Size of PPC 43 2) Number of Prisoners and the Process of Closure and Consolidation 53 3) Process and Circumstance of Arrest 58 4) Criminal Charges Brought against Prisoners 61 5) The Process of Investigation, Trial and Mode of Transport before Detention 64 6) The Process of Admission to a PCC 70 7) Process of Release and Defection 73 8) Period of Detention and the Possibility of Release 78 3