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The main character, Shin Dong-hyuk is born
Shin Dong-hyuk is born in the North Korean political prison Camp 14 as a result of his parents being trapped inside. They were given an opportunity to have children because of their good behavior in the camp. They were sent to the camp because of their actions against the government and also because of his father's brother defecting from North Korea. -
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Shin is trapped in Camp 14 and has to endure difficult conditions
Shin is one of the few prisoners born inside the camp. Shin and the prisoners in the camp are starved, beaten, and forced to do labor. Shin is taught to never trust the other prisoners and to snitch on them. The prisoner normalizes many horrific acts for Shin such as rape and leaving peers to die. -
Shin is bullied by the guards' children and learns about the power imbalance
When Shin was nine years old, he was hit and seriously injured by rocks thrown by the children of the camp guards. He was trying to pick up spilled coal and was scolded for fainting. This event in the story showed Shin that he had a 'guilty blood' and that he was not the same as others. This instilled more shame and fear in Shin. -
Shin informs to the guards of his parents' and brother's escape plans
Shin, not understanding love or empathy at the time, snitches on his family's plan to escape to the camp guards. Shin hopes to be rewarded for his actions but is sent to a prison within the camp instead. For Shin, his parents were yet another competitor for food. -
Shin is imprisoned and tortured to give more information
Instead of being rewarded, Shin is suspected of plotting with his parents and is tortured in various ways to get more information out of him. His conditions are even worse and he is on the brink of death because of his torture. He tells the truth in the end and they stop torturing but he is still about to die. -
Shin meets a friend
Shin is helped by a mysterious man, Kim Jun Myung, who is also trapped with him. He teaches Shin about kindness and a bit about life outside the camp. This is the first time Shin trusted somebody else as Kim would let Shin fantasize about life outside the camp. -
The execution of Shin's parents
Shin is released from prison but is forced to witness his mother and brother's execution. Shin is traumatized by the execution even after escaping from the camp. At the time of the execution, Shin does not feel any remorse because of the camp's teachings. -
Shin's school ends and is assigned to work on a farm
In camp 14, their teacher assigns each student an occupation within the camp. Usually, these jobs are quite difficult but Shin is assigned to the farm, which is an easier job. Shin did not work hard and was beaten often. -
Shin is reassigned to work at the camp's garment factory
Shin's life gets much more difficult as he has to meet difficult quotas at the factory. Shin is punished more severely and gets his finger cut off by a guard. Shin still retains his habit of snitching on other workers for rewards and has to work harder for survival. -
Shin meets an educated newcomer
Shin meets Park Yong Chul, a new prisoner who has lived abroad and is well-connected. He describes life outside Camp 14 which convinces Shin to escape from Camp 14. Shin and Park devise their plan to escape. -
Shin and Park initiate their plan to escape Camp 14
Shin and Park attempt to escape Camp 14 when the guards are distracted. When they try to escape the electric fence, Park is electrocuted and killed by the fence. However, Shin successfully escapes the camp. -
Shin escapes North Korea
After Shin escapes Camp 14, Shin still needs to escape North Korea. Under the radar of many people searching for him, Shin reaches the border separating China. By bribing the guards with food, Shin reaches China but is unable to find a job. -
Shin finds a way to get to South Korea
Shin meets a South Korean journalist who is trying to obtain more information about North Korea. He brings Shin to the South Korean Consulate and is given proper living conditions. Shin is allowed to stay until he gets ready to go to South Korea. -
Life Story
Shin gives his life story during an interrogation with the South Korean Intelligence Service and he is given some money to live off of. Shin struggles to adjust to the modern world. -
Shin moves to America and becomes an activist
Shin goes to America to share his story and to raise awareness of North Korean camps. Shin works with the Liberty in North Korea to become a human rights activist and to fit in. He gives many emotional speeches to different Korean-Americans about his life. However, he is eventually unsure whether he wants to stay in America or not. -
Present day life and future speeches
After his work in LiNK, Shin moves back to South Korea. Shin eventually travels around the world to give interviews about his experience in Camp 14. Based on the book, Shin was able to get a hold of his life and has learned how to give more motivational speeches.