Escape from Camp 14

Why did Shin hate his family so much? Do you find his mindset understandable? How did his feelings towards them develop in subsequent years?

Some prisoners in North Korea’s labor camps had previously lived in the outside world. Others, such as Shin, were born in the camps. What impact could these different circumstances have on prisoners? What are the respective advantages to having been born inside or outside the camp??

North Korea is unique in that it insists on taking full control of the aid that it receives from foreign donors. What have been some of the ramifications of this decision for North Korean society?

What prompted the North Korean government to increase its border security? What were the consequences of the previously more permeable border?

Even the most prosperous region of North Korea is impoverished when compared to South Korea. What factors contributed to this disparity? And how do they relate to the Kim dynasty that governs North Korea?

What is South Korea’s stance on its separation from North Korea? Is it proactive in maintaining or eroding the border? Likewise, how has it responded to the poverty and oppression occurring in the north?

Why is rice so significant in North Korea? Can you point to some events or observations in the book that illustrate its relevance? 

Why are South Korean cultural texts (such as video-CDs) seen as dangerous by the North Korean government? What is it about South Korean soap operas, for instance, that has led to their prohibition while also making them appealing to a North Korean audience?