authority by dropping to his knees with eyes downcast, or by giving a deep bow in which the back is in 90 degrees to stiffened legs. Prisoners are mercilessly beaten or taken to a punishment chamber for violating this rule.” (Ahn Myong-chul, former guard from PPC No. 11, 13 and 22). “I don’t remember rules that you specifically had to memorize, but there were many rules one had to follow. When you arrive at the PPC, you would hear about them in the orientation class. You would also hear this kind of information from other prisoners or SSA officers upon arrival at the PPC, as well as during disciplinary meetings. There should not be any involvement between men and women. Women would sometimes leave food intended for certain men. The woman would be punished for this, if caught. When detected, she would be denied a meal, given hard work or called up to the platform for public criticism at a disciplinary meeting.” (A04, former prisoner from Sorimchon, PPC No. 15, 2002~2005) “There is a system in a unit whereby three prisoners must always act collectively. For example, when you use a toilet, all three prisoners in the same unit must go together. No prisoner can go to a toilet alone. One of the three in the same unit would be a spy on the others. I never spied on anybody else. But I assumed there was a spy in my unit and I never confided in anyone even though we might’ve been close in some ways.” (A06, former prisoner from Sorimchon, Camp No. 15, 2003~2006) “PPC rules and regulations demand that you must not speak to anyone here about your career and experience before your arrest. In addition, you will surely be sentenced to death if you attempt to run away (from the PPC).” (A12, former prisoner, from Taesuk-ni, PPC No. 15 1994~1997) Kang Chul-hwan explained the rules and regulations of Yodok PPC pertaining to the prohibition of suicide, of greetings between prisoners and rules at work. Details are: “First, let me tell you about the prohibition against suicide. Pae Chong-chol was my desk-mate in the prison schoolroom. One day, he was absent from school because his father, Pae Yong-sam, had killed himself. He killed himself in Limsan Valley and left a will saying that he could no longer bear the pain of a guilty conscience, knowing that his family was suffering because of his failings. The SSA officers declared that my classmate’s father was a reactionary who had betrayed his fatherland and people by killing himself. Consequently, the prison term of his bereaved family members was 90