A plan to utilize the Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison (formerly Cheongsong Prison) as a 'dedicated prison for heinous criminals' is under review.
Earlier on the 22nd, the government and the ruling party announced a policy to establish a dedicated prison for heinous criminals at a party-government meeting held at the National Assembly.
Exterior view of the Gyeongbuk Northern Second Correctional Facility in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk. [Photo by Ministry of Justice]
The Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison is the only maximum-security prison in the country and has been called the "Alcatraz of Korea" (a maximum-security prison located on an island surrounded by cliffs in San Francisco Bay, USA). It was established in 1992 by then-President Roh Tae-woo to house organized crime members arrested during the war on crime.
Cheongsong Prison, located in Gwangdeok-ri, Jinbo-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, differs from general detention facilities in terms of location conditions. It takes about an hour to reach by driving up a steep mountain road even after passing through Andong city.
The prison is in a remote area, with the nearest civilian house more than 5 km away from the main gate. Moreover, the Second Prison, which houses high-risk inmates, is located halfway up Gwangdeoksan Mountain, deeper than other facilities.
Kim Gil-tae, the suspect in the sexual assault and murder of a middle school girl in Busan, also passed through here when he was sentenced to eight years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in her 30s in 2001.
Other inmates have included organized crime figures Kim Tae-chon and Jo Yang-eun, major criminal Jo Se-hyung, escapee Shin Chang-won, elementary school sexual offender Jo Doo-soon, and dismemberment murderer Oh Won-chun.
In May 2019, Shin Chang-won, who was incarcerated here, filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, claiming he was subjected to human rights violations such as being monitored by CCTV every moment while confined in solitary confinement.
Over 700 Solitary Cells, 24-Hour CCTV Surveillance
Inside view of the prison. [Photo by Yonhap News] (This article is not directly related to the content.)
Out of about 800 prison cells, over 700 are solitary cells, and solitary inmates are known to spend their time exclusively in these cells except for one hour of exercise per day.
It is reported that CCTV operates 24 hours a day inside the cells. Watching TV is only allowed for rehabilitation programs.
When media reports emerged about designating the Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison as a 'dedicated prison for heinous criminals,' residents of Cheongsong-gun also appeared unsettled, according to media coverage. The prison's name was changed to Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison to shed the negative image associated with Cheongsong Prison, and efforts were made to improve its image, but this move is seen as pouring cold water on those efforts. Unlike general prisons, the number of visitors is significantly lower, and the poor image is said to be unhelpful to the local economy.
Opposition from local residents is also a variable. Previously, in 2010, the Ministry of Justice attempted to establish an execution chamber at Cheongsong Prison and concentrate heinous criminals there, but the plan was scrapped due to residents' opposition.
However, Cheongsong-gun welcomes the establishment of a women's prison. In fact, Cheongsong-gun, which has four prisons including Gyeongbuk Northern Region First, Second, and Third Prisons and the Gyeongbuk Vocational Training Prison, is focusing on attracting a women's prison. The local government believes that prison facilities contribute to the local economy not only by providing permanent jobs for correctional staff and increasing employment but also by attracting visitors who come to meet inmates.
For the Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison to be confirmed as a dedicated prison for heinous criminals, it must pass party-government consultations. Cheongsong-gun is reportedly considering countermeasures such as organizing protest visits to the Ministry of Justice with residents if the procedure to designate the Gyeongbuk Northern Region Second Prison as a dedicated prison for heinous criminals is formalized.
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