North Korea’s brutal purges

Persons accused of serious political offences are sent to forced labour camps, known as kwan-li-so, or executed by hanging, decapitation or firing squads using anti aircraft guns, mortars or flamethrowers
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Kwan-li-so: Up to 120,000 prisoners detained in four forced labour camps

CHINA

NORTH KOREA

Camp 14 Kaechon

Camp 15 Yodeok

Camp 16 Hwasong

Camp 25 Chongjin

Kanggon: Public executions using anti-aircraft guns

Pyongyang

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul

Sea of Japan (East Sea)

100km 60 miles
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Dec 2011: Estimated 200 senior officials executed or detained in purge following death of Kim Jong-il

Dec 28: Kim Jong-un  (above) officially declared supreme leader of North Korea

2012: At least 14 senior party, government and military officials executed

2013: Kim’s uncle and No. 2, Jang Song-thaek (left) executed. Up to 30 of Jang’s aides and blood relatives also killed, some by anti-aircraft guns.
Gen. U Tong-chuk – secret police chief believed to have masterminded purge – disappears

2014: North Korea launches so-called “9.8 measures” – programme of public executions. First satellite evidence of executions using ZPU-4 anti-aircraft guns

2014: At least 50 executions, including six ministers. Deputy public security minister, O Sang-hon, executed by flamethrower

2015: Among 15 killed are two ministers and four members of Unhasu Orchestra, accused of spying

Apr 30: Defence minister Hyon Yong-chol (left) executed using anti-aircraft gun
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Sources: Human Rights Watch, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, JoongAng Ilbo

Pictures: Associated Press, Wikimedia

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