perhaps 60-70 centimeters wide. The camp areas inside the guard posts were under the control of SSA officers.” (A06, former prisoner from Sorimchon, Camp No. 15, 2003~2006) “I was told that a regiment force of guards was assigned to the entire security area of Camp No. 15. They told me that ambush units were placed even on the summit of the mountain, so there would be no chance for escape. Furthermore, the entire surrounding area was covered by steep mountains, making it difficult to run away. All the nearby villagers were keen to keep watch and submitted reports (of unusual activity) to the SSA on a daily basis. So there was no chance. Many prisoners were shot to death during escape attempts.” (A10, former prisoner from Taesuk-ni No. 15, 1995~1998) “There were five SSA officers in my area. There was one SSA officer each for the 1st Unit, 2nd Unit (Company), 3rd Unit and General Unit, as well as a driver. The General Unit was integrated into the Company later. There were section chiefs. The political officer came to us once a month. Normally, he was in civilian clothes. Exceptions to this would be public executions or occasions of addressing prisoners in the general meeting hall. Then he would be dressed in a military uniform” (A 12, former prisoner from Taesuk-ni, Camp No. 15) “Three SSA officers were responsible for watching us. The security system was so strict that we were literally bound. The camp was surrounded by barbed wire and there was a battery every 200 meters. Wooden poles sharpened at the tip were driven into the ground outside the barbed wire to prevent escape. In fact, the system was designed to cause all the prisoners to hate and watch one another. So, there was no chance for escape. In this way, the SSA was able to maintain an extremely strict security system.” (Kim Yongsun, former prisoner, Yongpyong-ni, Camp No. 15) “Altogether, there were some 1,000 guards for the security of Control Center No. 15 under the command of the 7th Bureau, SSA. There were two watchtowers within my view; about seven to eight meters high and two guards with machine guns were posted at each tower. The guards were armed with AK automatic rifle and hand grenades. Each watchtower was surrounded by walls, two to three meters high, with barbed wire all around for a seemingly endless distance. The guard system in Control Center No. 15 was very tight. Barbed wire could be seen on hills and mountains, three to four meters high. Walls, two to three meters high, with electrified barbed wire on top, could be seen in lower elevations. In high mountains, traps were set around the barbed wire. Sharp pointed sticks were driven upright in the bottom of the traps. There were watchtowers at 81