Although we have been aware that North Korea interprets the word
'liberty' in a different way to most other countries, Blaine Harden's
book about Shin Dong-Hyuk's unbelievable escape from a life of imprisonment, although not a major literary achievement, is
gripping, horrifying and educational. The brainwashing and the physical
deprivation that coloured Shin's early life and formed him into the
person he later became is heartbreaking. Escape from Camp 14 should be
compulsory reading for everyone, if not to put such atrocities into the
limelight then, at least, to put our own lives into perspective.
Following, a photo of Shin Dong-Hyuk. Source:
amnesty.org.uk/escape
