Escape from Camp 14

Shin Dong-hyuk - Not my photo

I was at the library last Friday and I happened upon this book, Escape from Camp 14. It's about a young, Korean man named, Shin Dong-hyuk. He's believed to be the only person to escape from the political prison in the remote hills in rural North Korea and make it to the West.

The story is absolutely horrific. If there were a stronger term I'd use it. The way the detainees are treated there (and many of them are young children) is unfathomable. They are slaves who are beaten, starved and abused in ways that are unimaginable. Their sense of reality is so distorted by the mistreatment of the "teachers" there that it's a wonder how escapees ever learn to adjust to life outside the electrified, barbed wire enclosure (if at all).

Shin Dong-hyuk was born in the prison in 1982. His mother, Jang Hye Gyung, was a prisoner there as was his father, Shin Gyung Sub. His father was given his mother as his bride by the guards as a reward for being a good worker there. Husbands and wives live in separated barracks. They were permitted to meet a few times a year. There is virtually no contact (verbal or otherwise) between prisoners of opposite sex. Penalty for breaking camp rules is death.

Shin Dong-hyuk had an older brother, He Geun, who was born in 1974. Both He Geun and his mother were publicly executed at the camp because they plotted to escape. Other prisoners were made to watch as Jang Hye Gyung was hanged and He Geun was shot multiple times until dead.

Shin's father was imprisoned because two of his brothers escaped to South Korea. According to the "three generations of punishment" law instituted by North Korea's first dictator Kim Il Sung, relatives of "perpetrators" were sent to these, in effect, concentration camps to wipe out the lineage of the entire family. If you were cursed to be born there you were treated as barbarically as if you yourself committed an offense against the regime.

Prisoners are slaves who are beaten, tortured, starved and regularly murdered. It's incomprehensible how a so-called leader could do this to anyone let alone the citizens of his own country, the ones he purports to hold so dearly to his heart.

In the book you'll get a glimpse into what "life" is like inside the camp as well as outside. You'll see the distorted view of the world bestowed upon the young minds there. You'll follow Shin's journey of discovery where he learns there is a completely different reality outside the prison walls. And you'll follow his incredible journey to freedom – and it is incredible.

This story is not for the faint of heart. But, it is essential it be heard. Former "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il is dead. He died from a heart attack in late 2011. May he rot in hell. His youngest son, Kim Jong Eun, has succeeded him and assumed the role of supreme leader. It is of foremost importance that he and his cronies be held responsible for their roles in the torture and murder of the citizens of North Korea.

IKEA - New Toronto tourist attraction?

Iris and Tony's friend, Jinny, revisited Toronto for the first time in seven years. She's in town for their second wedding. This time Iris' parents and brother will be in town to witness it.

Since I have a lot of free time on my hands I was charged with being tour guide again. Like I mentioned above Jinny lived here seven years ago. She was studying in Toronto for six months, so she's had the chance to see some things already.

Normally I take visitors to the Distillery District, to the Beaches, Eaton Centre, Yonge/Dundas Square, City Hall, along Queen West, Kensington Market and Chinatown. This time we did something different. Jinny wanted to go to IKEA.

On the way up from Tony and Iris' place I detoured through the Bridle Path and Shops at Don Mills. I thought Jinny might like to see them.

After that we did make it to IKEA. It's been quite awhile since I've been there. They're redeveloping with quite a few condos in the immediate area. I almost couldn't find my way into the parking lot. We were there for quite a bit of time. Jinny was looking for some bedding items both for herself and Tony and Iris. By the time we finished it was after 2:00 p.m and we were hungry.

We went into the cafeteria in IKEA, but things didn't look so hot there. So I suggested going back to Don Mills to go to Congee Queen. Jinny liked that idea. She hadn't had congee in awhile and wanted to order some. As well as the chicken and duck congee we had shredded meat chow mein (chicken, pork and other stuff) and beef chung fun (rice rolls). Mmm.

After lunch Jinny wanted to check out her old neighbourhood of Yonge and Finch. Just to see what sort of changes there were. Unfortunately rush hour was all but upon us. We tried to head back south, but were stuck on Yonge for such a long time. So annoying.

We had pretty much no choice, but to sit it out. I made the decision to head over to Bayview Village in search of a Tim Hortons. Unfortunately our luck didn't change. No Timmies. But, there was a Timothy's so that's where we went. It cost me over $5 for a cold, caffeinated beverage. By the time 6:00 came round we attempted to drive back down to Tony and Iris' place again. This time the traffic was lighter thankfully.

When we got there Tony and Iris had just about finished preparing dinner. We ate together with them and Iris' parents. Tomorrow I'm planning on taking them to St. Jacobs. They have a farmers market there. Let's hope the rain stops by the morning.