The survey shows that the offender is subject to at least some form of the prescribed steps of preliminary investigation, but the alleged offender’s families, who are arrested under the system of guilt by association, are directly transported to PPC right after arrest, completely skipping the process of preliminary investigation. 25 Survey results indicated that this was not a situation unique to Yodok PPC but also for other PPC as well, including PPC No.’s 14 and 18. The responsibility for conducting preliminary investigations is divided between SSA and the police. Survey results indicate that all PPC prisoners interviewed underwent preliminary investigation by the SSA. This shows that the SSA is involved in the entire process of investigation from the beginning for a criminal case under its mandate. The in-depth interviews show that PPC prisoners underwent preliminary investigations in SSA jails, SSA hotels or during detention by the Preliminary Investigation Bureau of SSA. The process of preliminary investigation in North Korea is for the purpose of investigating and confirming the commission of a crime. The survey reveals clearly that human rights of detainees are severely violated as the preliminary investigation is accompanied by torture, violence and duress. The survey also makes clear that victims are forced to make false statements and confessions in order to end the excruciating investigation as soon as possible. This is confirmed by survey information obtained from interviews. “My father went to work with lunch box in the morning but did not come home in the evening. I was told he was arrested. There was no such thing as a preliminary investigation or any other investigation and he just simply disappeared.” (A05, former prisoner from Ipsok-ni, PPC No. 15, 1976~1980) “They were very crafty when investigating me. They told me that they knew that my mother and brother were in South Korea. When I replied that I had no idea where my mother was, they were angry and called me a wicked element and continued interrogation without lunch. I was interrogated over 20 times. They used violence as I refused to confess. The investigation ended after an SSA officer had a final round of interviews with me.” (A06, former prisoner from Sorimchon, Camp No. 15, 2003~2006) “When my father was arrested, there was no such thing as a preliminary investigation and, in fact, the entire family was carried away at dawn with him. I was told by my father that once he was 25 There are cases where a member of the family is interrogated to prove the guilt of the offender. In general practice, however, families are sent to PPC without any process of investigation. 65