North Korea’s Camp 22: Rise and Closure

Camp 22 was once the largest and most notorious political prison camp in North Korea.

Located in Hoeryong near the Chinese border, it became infamous globally due to

harrowing testimonies from former guards and satellite imagery. Here are the key facts regarding

its history, conditions, and current status. 1. General Overview

Location: Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province. It covered roughly 225 square kilometers making it larger

than the city of Washington, D.C. Population: At its peak in the 1990s

and early 2000s, it was estimated to hold 50,000 prisoners. Total Control Zone: It was a "lifetime"

camp where prisoners were never expected to leave. Most were imprisoned under the "guilt