Hanawon

Hanawon is a re-education camp for North Korean refugees in South Korea.

General

Located at Anseong Institute was opened on 8 July 1999 and is located about 100 km south of the capital Seoul.

After arriving in South Korea North Korean refugees are brought for twelve weeks after Hanawon, to adapt them to their future in South Korea. It is 392 hours on " courses" to be completed, including 121 hours basic political education, as well as historical aspects reserved further 174 hours be utilized to bring the refugees on the labor market. Both are done according to official figures with the background to show the people of the impoverished, human rights infringements dictatorship of North Korea a free lifestyle to better exist in their new country can. Sufferers are supplied with an " entry fee " of 22 million won (about 14,500 euros ) to search for the most destitute escape have greater chances to be a new beginning.

Methods and criticism

Refugees from North Korea is often assumed to follow a spy working for the hostile neighboring state. Therefore, be within the scope of the stay in the camp any person upon arrival by the South Korean secret service several weeks of questioning, which is accompanied by psychological tests subjected. It may also no personal visits are received, an exit from the institution is not permitted in the rule, even cell phones are not released for use.

On the other hand, it is again not a detention center, the stay is only temporary and refugees are informed about basic freedoms and responsibilities in a democracy to better navigate in South Korea from the beginning. Likewise, activities in the field of metal processing, the operation of various machines, gastronomic basic skills or trade-related processes are taught in short practical training. This development happens but gender specific, men are trained more in craft activities, women working in office or household tasks.

South Korea apparently admits North Koreans to only one immigration when they are fleeing directly from their home country. Already living in China original North Koreans fleeing on Chinese soil to South Korea before the adverse conditions for them to be sent back immediately.