A harrowing read

Ian Birrell’s report of prisoners in North Korea (MoS, April 30) is appalling. Beatings, rape, forced abortions, babies beaten to death and starvation… it all makes for harrowing reading.

I know we had our Magdalene laundries, H Blocks, gangland war and treatment of Grace, and it’s all to our shame. But at least we live in a democracy.

If one does commit a crime, one gets a fair trial and just punishment. Ian’s story brings to mind man’s inhumanity to man. Kim Jong-un is a monster. Angela Osborne, Co. Limerick.