Social Dynamics in North Korean Prisons: Resistance and Inverse Empowerment Theory

How do prisoners and guards in the North Korean gulag respond to the dynamics of prison conditions? Exploring these phenomena advances sociological understanding of oppression and domination, and responses to them. This research builds a theoretical framework grounded in testimonies from 44 former prisoners and guards. I develop explanations for expressions of resistance, and apparent inaction as action. Some prisoner and guard behaviors reflect redefined normalities in the harsh prison camp setting: oppressive conditions impress upon them that they have few, if any options. I offer inverse empowerment theory to explain how people in North Korean prisons may reduce their power despite their efforts to empower themselves.

Author

• Kim, Jee Jee Hyun

Language

• en

Keyword

• North Korea
• grounded theory
• oppression
• refugees
• resistance
• prison

Date created

• 2012

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Sociology

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Buntman, Fran L

Committee Member(s)

• Ken, Ivy

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/bg257f224