A former MPS official revealed that the pre-trial investigation bureau in the headquarters of the Ministry of People’s Security in Pyongyang made use of a small metal cage. Victims would be crammed into the cage for several hours so that the circulation of blood to extremities becomes interrupted and other parts of the body swell up. The victim turns into a rusty-brown colour. After removal from the cage, the victim is abruptly “unfolded” causing further excruciating pain.
The treatment of suspects is particularly brutal and inhumane in the interrogation detention centres of the SSD, the primary agency tasked with suppressing “anti-state and anti-people crimes”. They are often semi-starved by meager rations. Some are also forced to do back-breaking work. Those not working in the fields are forced to sit or kneel in uncomfortable positions for the entire day. They are not allowed to speak, move or look around and if they dare to, they will be beaten, have their rations cut or be forced to do physical activities, like 1000 squats for instance. Sometimes these punishments are dished out to the entire cell of people rather than just the individual responsible.
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