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On October 23, 2001, south Korea’s National Intelligence Service (former KCIA) arrested three journalists of Jajuminbo magazine, illegally searched their office and confiscated computers and other materials for alleged violation of the National Security Law.

At 9:00 a.m., approximately 20 government agents entered the office of Jajuminbo magazine without a search warrant and confiscated computers, cameras, books, notes and virtually all office materials except the furniture. Thirty minutes prior to the illegal search and seizure, NIS (KCIA) agents arrested Jajuminbo chief editor, Lee Chang-gi along with two other journalists Park Joon-young and Baek Oon-jong.

Jajuminbo magazine launched in May 2000 and has operated independently without commercial advertising or government support. Following the historic June 15th North-South Joint Declaration in which the two Korean governments pledged to promote social exchange and work toward peaceful reconciliation, Jajuminbo began to publish articles and interviews of Koreans both in and outside of south Korea to carry forth the social exchange pledged by the two governments.

The three journalists have now been charged for violating the National Security Law by allegedly “praising” north Korea in articles and interviews carried by the magazine earlier this year. The National Security Law contradicts the south Korean government’s current “Sunshine Policy” toward north Korea and has been denounced by human rights organizations worldwide for its frequent use as an instrument of government repression.

The Korean American community joins south Korean human rights organizations in protesting this recent act as not only a violation of human rights and repression of the media, but also as an obstacle to peaceful reconciliation on the highly volatile Korean peninsula. We demand the immediate release of the three journalists and 127 additional political prisoners currently detained by the government under the National Security Law. We call for the abolition of south Korea’s oppressive National Security Law so that its citizens may freely join the dialogue for peaceful unification of Korea without fear of arrest or government persecution.

For additional information, please contact:

Korean American Support Committee for the Release of Jajuminbo Journalists
Yong-bin Yuk
yby@ktown.tv
213-787-8653 ext. 1517
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A Living Ghost - The National Security Law of South Korea

The National Security Law (NSL) of South Korea has cast a dark shadow of oppression on countless people since its enactment in 1948. The threat from North Korea, which was the basic rationale for its existence, has justified all kinds of restrictions and abuses of human rights in Korea since the division of the country in1945. Since its enactment, the NSL has played a critical role in the maintenance of dictatorial regimes in South Korea by casting a pervasive net of fear and oppression over the people. It has been used to arrest thousands of innocent people unfairly and unjustly. In fact, it has been no more than a useful instrument for dictatorship.

History shows that the law has been the most important means to suppress the basic freedom of the people. Barely a year after its enactment the NSL was used to crack down and arrest more than 100,000 people of various political persuasions who were opposed to the government’s policies. Especially during the military regimes of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, more than 10,000 people were tried and received jail terms for violating the NSL. Some of these prisoners were in jail for more than 20 years.

Despite the victory in the 1998 presidential election of Kim Dae-jung, a former long-term dissident and the winner of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize, the NSL still exits and continues its fearful influence by limiting and violating the basic human rights of the Korean people. Since President Kim took office, there has been much discussion about reforming the NSL. Most human rights and civic organisations in South Korea have demanded that the NSL be abolished. On the other hand, political parties, including Kim Dae-jung’s party, have insisted on, at best, only a partial amendment of the NSL. However, there is strong consent among the people that the NSL should be abolished or amended soon. According to a recent survey, 78.2 percent of South Korean citizens are in favour of mitigating or repealing the law.

The NSL is widely criticised for its arbitrary components. For example, when it is broadly applied, Article 7 of the NSL can be used to suppress virtually any activity. The mere possession of a book or viewing a film, for instance, can be considered a violation of Article 7. This surreal application of the law has occurred many times. The Article 7 states:

"(1) Any person who has benefited the anti-state organisation by way of praising, encouraging or siding with or through other means the activities of an anti-state organisation, its member or a person who has been under instruction from such organisation shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than seven years.
. . .

"(5) Any person who has, for the purpose of committing the actions as stipulated in Paragraphs 1 through 4 of this article, produced, imported, duplicated, possessed, transported, disseminated, sold or acquired documents, drawings or any other similar means of expression shall be punished by the same penalty as set forth in each paragraph."

REQUESTED ACTION

Please send letters, emails and faxes in English, Korean or your own language:

q Expressing concern at recent arrests of Jajuminbo journalists under the National Security Law when the government has pledged to work toward dialogue and peaceful reconciliation with north Korea in the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration;
q Reminding south Korean President Kim Dae-jung that as a former political prisoner under the National Security Law and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, he should keep his promise to “give the rest of my life to human rights and peace in my country.”
q Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the three Jajuminbo journalists and 123 additional political prisoners held for the non-violent exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association;
q Calling for the abolition of the National Security Law, or at the very least, to amend it in accordance with international standards relating to freedom of expression and association.

SAMPLE LETTER (use this letter or write your own personal message)

Your Excellency,

First of all, I was upset to hear that the National Security Law (NSL) of South Korea still exists or continues, at best, without any amendment. Its existence creates fear in society by limiting and violating the basic human rights of the Korean people even though four years have passed since you became the president of the country.

I have heard so many times about the notorious role of the NSL in Korea and its terrible impact on the Korean democratic and unification movement. That is why the abolition of the NSL has always been at the top of the list of demands in the country’s long journey for democratization and peaceful unification of Korea. I strongly urge you to abolish the NSL immediately. This act will not only benefit your own country but will be a good signal to other Asian countries which also oppress their people under draconian laws like the NSL, such as the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia.

As a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former political prisoner oppressed by the National Security Law, I hope that you personally understand why I am writing to you. After all, you yourself stated, "Don't stop writing... If you give us moral support, we will do the rest."

I once again firmly urge you to take further steps to abolish the NSL and to release immediately the three Jajuminbo journalists and 123 additional political prisoners without any preconditions.

Yours sincerely,

SEND LETTER TO:

Mr. Kim Dae-jung
President of Republic of Korea
The Chungwoadae
1 Sejong-ro, Chonro-gu
Seoul, 110-050
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
FAX: +82 2 770-0202
TEL: +82 2 770-0027
E-MAIL: president@cwd.go.kr
SALUTATION: Your Excellency

Send copies to:

Mr. Choi Kyung-won
Ministry of Justice
1 Jungang-dong, Kwachon-si
Kyonggi Province, 427-760
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
FAX: +822 504-3337 or +822 503-7046
E-MAIL: legal_moj@moj.go.kr
SALUTATION: Dear
PLEASE MARK: ATT - MINISTER CHOI KYUNG-WOON

Mr. Kim Jung-kwon
Representative of the New Millenium Democratic Party
Kisan Building, 15 Yoido-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu
Seoul, 150-010
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
FAX: +82 2 761-0550
TEL: +82 2 784-2855
E-MAIL: webmaster@minjoo.or.kr
SALUTATION: Dear