Summary

Shin and his mother, Jang Hye Gyung, lived in Camp 14. They lived in what was considered the best quarters there. There were 40 buildings in the camp. Four families shared their facilities. Shin and his mother slept on the concrete floor in their room. Electricity was on only two hours a day. Heat came from a coal fire. The windows were opaque, impossible to see through. There was no furniture or running water. There was no shower or bath. In the summer, people would sneak down to the river if they wanted to bathe.

Jang made her work quota, so she could bring home food for that evening and the next day. She made meals for Shin before she left for work. Each meal was the same – corn porridge, pickled cabbage and cabbage soup. This was the same meal Shin ate every day for...