North Korea has partially demolished several notorious political prison camps and is currently rebuilding or expanding the facilities, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery. 

It is the first time such large-scale construction at multiple prison camps has simultaneously occurred in the Kim Jong Un era, pointing to a major policy change amid efforts to crack down on foreign cultural influence.

Planet Labs imagery shows construction on new buildings in recent weeks inside at least three small “kyohwaso” prison facilities, after demolition started on each around the same time late last year.