Kwan-li-so (political prison camps)

Kwan-li-so are North Korea’s political prison camps where individuals accused of against the state, political dissent, or perceived disloyalty are detained. These camps are characterized by severe human rights abuses, forced labor, poor living conditions, and minimal legal protections. Inmates often include political prisoners, their families, or those accused of minor offenses, with punishment sometimes extended to relatives under the regime’s policy of collective punishment. The camps serve as tools of repression, aiming to eliminate dissent and enforce loyalty to the government through harsh and inhumane treatment.