North Korea frees prisoners: attempt to gain support
January 12, 2012 11:52 am | Filed Under: Departments
Kim Jong-un, the new North Korean Supreme Leader is taking action to make him more trusting. He is planning on releasing prisoners; however nobody knows who or how many will be released. (Image Credit: iamkoream.com)

For the first time in seven years, North Korea will be releasing prisoners. This is an attempt to get Kim Jung-un more popular with other countries.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that the special pardon was part of national celebrations to observe the 70th anniversary in February of the birth of Kim Jong-il, the new leader’s father who died on Dec. 17, and the 100th anniversary in April of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, according to the New York Times.

North Koreadid not release which type of prisoner will be released or how many in this attempt for popularity.

For years, according to international human rights groups that North Korea has up to 200,000 people are being held in political prison camps, and many more in other penal institutions.

In rallies all around North Korea, people are pledging their loyalty to Jung-un.