The electric fence surrounding Camp 14 is a grim symbol of the repression and brutality that characterized Shin’s life in the prison, as well as life for all North Koreans living under the Kim dynasty. When Shin ultimately escapes Camp 14 (or escapes for the last time, in light of his 2015 testimony), his friend Park Young Chul is killed by the electric fence, and Shin uses Park’s body to shield himself from being electrocuted as well. In this way the fence and Park’s death emphasize the brutal reality of Shin’s life—in order for him to survive and escape, it’s sometimes necessary for others to die: first Shin’s mother and brother, and finally Park.
The Electric Fence Quotes in Escape from Camp 14
What he remembers most clearly about crawling through the fence was that Park's body smelled like it was burning.
The Electric Fence Symbol Timeline in Escape from Camp 14
