Hotline Asia Urgent Appeals -- UA990628(9)

Action Requested || Sample Letter || Background
Update

Summary

Human rights groups in South Korea are continuing their call for the abolition of the unjust National Security Law (NSL) because the law contradicts the South Korean Constitution and has, in recent Korean history, been arbitrarily applied to human rights defenders and critics of the government. In November 1997, Mr Suh Joon-sik, a well-known human rights activist was charged under the National Security Law (NSL) and Security Observation Law (SOL) at the time of the Second Seoul Human Rights Film Festival held in October 1997 because Mr Suh insisted on showing the film 'Red Hunt' which was banned by the authorities. (An urgent appeal on this event and the detention of Mr. Suh Joon-sik was issued by Hotline Asia [971113(9)] in November 1997). He was charged by the Seoul Police Administration Security Division under the NSL and was later released on bail on February 1998.

On June 15, 1999, at Mr Suh's trial, Prosecutor of Western Branch of Seoul District Court demanded a 5 year prison sentence and 5 year suspension of civil rights for Mr Suh. The trial will conclude on July 6, 1999 and sentencing will be made. Analysts believe that the prosecution against Mr Suh seriously violates the right to freedom of expression and association enshrined in the Constitution and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is genuine fear that Mr Suh will be sentenced to imprisonment again because of his political views and continued involvement in human rights activities. He had previously been imprisoned for 17 years for his beliefs.

As the conclusion of the trial of Mr Suh Joon-sik is drawing near (on 6 July), please urgently write polite letters to the South Korean government expressing deep concern about the possible sentence of imprisonment of Mr Suh and urge that

• The charges under the NSL and SOL against Mr Suh be dropped immediately and a fair trial be given;

• The rights to the freedom of expression and opinion in accordance with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right be upheld for all people of Korea;

• Practical steps to abolish the unjust National Security Law and the Security Observation Law be taken immediately

Sample Letter

Background

Suh Joon-sik, the coordinator of the Sarangbang Center for Human Rights Center based in Seoul, South Korea, is a prominent human rights activist in South Korea. When Mr Suh was arrested on 4 November 1997, the Seoul Police Administration Security Division charged him under the 'National
Security Law (NSL)', 'Security Observation Law (SOL)', 'Law on Public Performance', 'Regulations on Records and Videos', 'Regulations on Trespassing' and 'Regulations on Donations and Collection of Funds'. On 15 June 1999, at his trial the Prosecution of the Western Branch of Seoul District Court demanded a 5 year prison sentence and 5 year suspension of Mr Suh's civil rights under the NSL and SOL while all other charges were dropped.

During the Second Seoul Human Rights Film Festival sponsored by Sarangbang held in October 1997, the authorities banned the documentary film 'Red Hunt' which was declared as anti-state and benefiting to North Korea. According to the National Security Law (NSL), a person can be arrested and prosecuted for carrying out any activities 'praising' or 'benefiting' to North Korea.

Although the film 'Red Hunt' was permitted to be shown during the International Film Festival at Pusan, Korea in October 1997, the Seoul Police Administration Security Division claimed that Mr Suh was showing the film in the Second Seoul Human Rights Film Festival and processing books to benefit North Korea. Mr Suh was arrested on 4 November 1997 and later released on bail on 5 February 1998. On the other hand, the filmmakers and organizers of International Film Festival at Pusan were not questioned at all. It was reported that the Seoul Police Administration justified such a double standard as appropriated because the use of the film by "a non-converted ideological offender" is problematic. Human rights groups protested widely against such allegations concerning 'anti-state or enemy-benefiting materials' as it seriously violates the basic right to the freedom of expression and opinion.

Mr Suh was also charged under the Security Observation Law (SOL). SOL allows surveillance of individuals without any proper legal process and violates the rights of privacy of an individual. Mr Suh was released in 1998 after being imprisoned for 17-years for "espionage". This was after he had visited North Korea. As a former political prisoner (charged under the NSL), Mr Suh was under surveillance. He has to report regularly to the police and notify the authorities of any overseas travel. As Mr Suh did not report regularly to the authorities, the prosecutor has demanded a higher penalty for Mr Suh.

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Thank you for Your Continued Support!!