Prison Camps · South Hamgyong Province · Kyohwaso
Kyo-hwa-so No. 9, Hamhung (9호 함흥 교화소)
Prison (kyohwaso)
Operating (per HRNK)Operated by: Ministry of Social Security
Kyohwaso No. 9 in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, is located in North Korea’s primary chemical and manufacturing hub. Inmates perform forced labor in toxic chemical processing and regional plant maintenance.
System Context & Human Rights Documentation
Correctional re-education facilities (kyohwaso) like Kyo-hwa-so No. 9, Hamhung house individuals sentenced through the formal criminal system for offenses including illegal economic activity, cross-border smuggling, viewing foreign media, or attempting to escape into China. While sentences are nominally for a set number of years, severe malnutrition, physical beatings, and grueling manual labor result in high prisoner mortality rates.
Sources & Verification
Other Facilities in South Hamgyong Province
Camp 15, Yodok
Political prison camp (kwanliso) · Reported closed or downsized, disputed