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Haul the president, 'Chungchun' etc. on suspicion of violating the National Security Law

The Anti-Communist Team of the Korean Police Agency dispossessed the Internet broadcast station by claiming that it was a threat to National Security. The Anti-Communist Division’s actions are suspicious, even more in that it occurred when the amendment for the National Security Law is to be materialized, and the argument of restriction for the Internet broadcasting station is luxuriant.

At 5 o'clock on November 24th, the president of the internet broadcasting station 'Chungchun' (http://chungchun.net) Yeochang Yoon (28) Chief Producer, Bonggu Shin, Yookyeong Kim (a student who is temporarily taking a leave of absence from school) are taken to the branch office of the Anti-Communist Team in Changandong. Yoon, Shin, and Kim are brought in on suspicion of violating the National Security Law and are interrogated by more than 10 detectives of the Security Investigation team for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Mr. Yoon was taken in by an arrest warrant, while Mr. Shin and Kim were taken in by urgency arrests. The police seized three computer systems, a video camera, a computer diskette, as well as a pocket book, wallet and other miscellaneous items from the boarding room that Mr. Yoon used as a makeshift office for 'Chungchun'.

The police stated that they had found the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th volumes of an anti-American pamphlet, as well as a cultural pamphlet for activists of art and literature. 'The road to independent culture' established the Internet broadcasting station, 'Chungchun.' The station was created for the struggle for independency·democracy·reunion. A movement by the "Independent Thought," shot and broadcast the 8th board of representatives and the departure ceremony of the Han-chong-yeon, as a way to carry on propaganda and instigation.

illegal imprisonment and all-night investigation

Advocate Seungkyo Kim, who met Mr. Yoon on the 25th of November said; "The police focus is on whether 'Chungchun' benefited the enemy," and "they (the police) are investigating Mr. Yoon, Mr. Shin, and Mr. Kim, on the suspicion of making, promulgating, and accepting pamphlets to benefit the enemy; and offer encouragement and praise for an enemy (Section 7 of the National Security Law)." The police charged that 'Chungchun,' is a propaganda organization under the direct authority of Han-Chong-Yeon. Mr. Yoon denied the allegation, stating; "We only were connected to Han-Chong-Yeon for shooting, but we are not under the control of Han-Chong-Yeon."

It was later revealed that Mr. Yoon was interrogated all night long under illegal conditions, until 5 A.M. at the branch office of the Anti-Communist Team in Changandong. The police violated the provision that they must conduct questioning at the district police station, even if the offender was arrested by the National Intelligence Service, a branch of the of Anti-Communist team.

Advocate Seungkyo Kim said; " The Anti-Communist Team stated that they don't have to observe the provision though it is illegal. It is a possibility that they (Mr. Yoon, Mr.Shin, and Mr. Kim) will be detained through this night."

What is the site 'Chungchun' like?

'Chungchun' called itself, 'an independent Internet broadcasting station'. It offers photos and films of the anti-ASEM movement, the Maehyangri struggle, and a running article since August, on the Korean Labor Party. The president, Yeochang Yoon entered Chungnam University in 1992 and participated in the General Student Association. Last year he and prepared the Internet broadcasting station with his university alum, Bonggu Shin. They have been working on the site since May.

SOURCE : KOREA HUMAN RIGHTS DAILY NEWS Oct 26th, 2000.