AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

In 2003 the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) published a study titled, "The Hidden Gulag: Exposing North Korea's Prison Camps". The report provides an in-depth and well-researched look at a number of penal institutions in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that have been reported to exhibit extreme examples of human rights violations. This includes the internment of political prisoners and their families for forced labor in mining, logging, farming and industrial enterprises. Abuse, starvation, and forced abortions are among other crimes reportedly associated with such camps.

Annotated satellite images are included as part of the HRNK report allowing for a wide audience to potentially view the HRNK interpretation of the prison camps. The report concludes by making a number of recommendations to the DRPK, its neighbors and other U.N. member states including a call for discussions to improve human rights conditions in North Korea.