Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information that the Supreme Court dismissed all charges against Song Du-yul, German professor, under the National Security Law (NSL) on 17 April 2008. The AHRC welcomes the court’s decision and we thank you for all your support.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
Song Du-yul, 64, was immediately arrested when he arrived at the airport and taken custody on his arrival ending a 37-year exile in Germany, for allegedly violating anti-communist activities in the National Security Law (NSL) on 22 October 2003. (See previous appeal, UP-53-2003, UP-48-2003, UA-67-2003)
On 17 April 2008, the Supreme Court rejected all charges against Mr. Song. The prosecution has alleged that Mr. Song was a senior member of the North Korean Worker’s party. It also alleged that his academic activities with North Korea violated the NSL. The Seoul High Court, in this regard, ruled that no evidence was found for the prosecution’s allegations. Thus the Supreme Court reaffirmed his innocence.
The Supreme Court ruled in its judgment saying that a) there is no evidence to consider Mr. Song as Mr. Kim Chul Soo who served as the 23rd highest-ranking member of the North Korean Workers’ Party Politburo b) innocence of Mr. Song’s participation in an academic seminar for Korean reunification held in North Korea c) innocence against the lower court’s judgment that his visit to North Korea for five times from 1991 to March 1994 violates the National Security Law.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
