N. Korea may release a “large number” of prisoners in October
North Korean authorities are planning to carry out a special pardon of prisoners in October, and the list of pardonees may include those who have attempted to defect the country, in observance of the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Korea’s communist party on Oct. 10.
The department managing prison throughout the country ordered the prisons to submit lists of potential pardonees by Aug. 10. Even though the order did not provide a specific date for the pardons, it is highly probable they will be granted in early October.
In 2015, North Korea released several thousand prisoners on the 70th anniversary of founding the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. There are rumors that many of the pardonees will just be those who committed “simple economic crimes,” which suggests that mainly those imprisoned for stealing valuables or committing fraud will be released.
[Source: Daily NK]
