Born in Pyongyang, North Korea, Kang spent his childhood in Pyongyang, where his family lived in relative luxury owing to his grandfather's position and the fortune he had given to the country upon the family's return from Japan. Though they had never renounced their Korean citizenship and Kang's grandmother had been a staunch Party member in both countries, the family remained under a cloud of suspicion for having lived in Japan. In 1977, his grandfather was accused of treason and was sent to the notoriously brutal Senghori concentration camp. As the family of a traitor, Kang and his family were sent to the Yodok concentration camp. Kang was 9 years old; his sister Mi-ho was just 7.

Life was brutal in the camp. Death from starvation or exposure to the elements was a constant threat, and beatings and other punishments were routine. His education consisted almost solely of memorizing the sayings and speeches of Kim Il-sung; at 15 his education ceased and he was assigned to exhausting and dangerous work details, and was made to view public executions. Ten years later he and his family were released.

After release from the camp, Kang proceeded with his life and lived for a few years in North Korea. He owned an illegal radio receiver and listened to broadcasts from the South. In 1992, he and fellow Yodok internee An Hyuk escaped from North Korea by crossing the Yalu River into China.

After publishing The Aquariums of Pyongyang, Kang met with US President George W. Bush Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Daily NK - Foreign Secretary of the UK Jack Straw Meets North Korean Gulag Survivor and has spoken with several organizations about human rights in North Korea. Blogger: Connexion en vue de la lecture Republicans Abroad Korea: Kang Chol-hwan reception a success He has not been in contact with his family since defecting.