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omonatheydidKim Seung-kyu was interrogated eight times because he made a statement glorifying North Korea
South Korean civic group members and family members of prisoners shout slogans during a rally denouncing the national security law in Seoul, South Korea.
The tension between North and South Korea just went up a notch.
Kim Seung-kyu, a resident of South Korea, was interrogated eight times because he made a statement glorifying North Korea, reported the Associated Press.
After a conservative government rose to power in South Korea in 2008, it became a crime to praise or sympathize with North Korea in any way. In 2010, more than 150 South Koreans were reportedly questioned and 60 charged for praising North Korea.
Like the 60 people before him, Seung-kyu was also convicted, but his sentence was suspended. He says he was charged for reposting articles, songs and other available information about North Korea on his blog, according to the AP, and called the National Security Law a government attempt “to suffocate the people.”
Moving toward an autocratic style of governance, the South Korean government agency launched a team on Wednesday that will examine Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as smartphone apps.
South Korean Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae defended tough measures against those who praise the North, calling it "a national misfortune if there are still people who have yet to abandon illusions about North Korea." He vowed in a speech in August to "declare war" on North Korean sympathizers: "They must be punished and removed,” the AP reported.
The law came into play in 1948 became stronger during the tense nuclear standoff between the two sides in the early 21st century. The relationship between the two countries became even worse after the 2007 election of President Lee Myung-bak.
The law, however, has faced strong opposition from the people of South Korea. Earlier this year, 25 people gathered in Seoul to protest it.
Source: nydailynews
South Korean civic group members and family members of prisoners shout slogans during a rally denouncing the national security law in Seoul, South Korea.
The tension between North and South Korea just went up a notch.
Kim Seung-kyu, a resident of South Korea, was interrogated eight times because he made a statement glorifying North Korea, reported the Associated Press.
After a conservative government rose to power in South Korea in 2008, it became a crime to praise or sympathize with North Korea in any way. In 2010, more than 150 South Koreans were reportedly questioned and 60 charged for praising North Korea.
Like the 60 people before him, Seung-kyu was also convicted, but his sentence was suspended. He says he was charged for reposting articles, songs and other available information about North Korea on his blog, according to the AP, and called the National Security Law a government attempt “to suffocate the people.”
Moving toward an autocratic style of governance, the South Korean government agency launched a team on Wednesday that will examine Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as smartphone apps.
South Korean Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae defended tough measures against those who praise the North, calling it "a national misfortune if there are still people who have yet to abandon illusions about North Korea." He vowed in a speech in August to "declare war" on North Korean sympathizers: "They must be punished and removed,” the AP reported.
The law came into play in 1948 became stronger during the tense nuclear standoff between the two sides in the early 21st century. The relationship between the two countries became even worse after the 2007 election of President Lee Myung-bak.
The law, however, has faced strong opposition from the people of South Korea. Earlier this year, 25 people gathered in Seoul to protest it.
Source: nydailynews
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no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 11:39 am (UTC)LOL at the last line "strong opposition - 25 people" ...
If there is a strong opposition to this, and if really people want the Sunshine Policy back they should start to think about voting. 62% of the population voted in 2007... Guys if you want some change you need to vote... if not then don't be surprised if the tension between North and South gets worse...
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 11:49 am (UTC)I realize that they are at war but:
"He vowed in a speech in August to "declare war" on North Korean sympathizers: "They must be punished and removed,”
That seems extreme. Maybe It'd be better to educate people about what's really happening in N.korea rather than just saying this is bad don't do it: kids always do what's not allowed
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 12:20 pm (UTC)Denouncing the national security law is disobeying to this law. But, if this opinion is more massively shared, then there should have been a bigger manifestation.
Not by criticizing the NSL but about having a Sunshine Policy back maybe.
The people were pretty happy when Roh Moo Hyun (the one before LMB) had a talk with the North and then said China and USA should sign this peace sheet etc. LMB even lost popularity. This, imo, shows they want the Sunshine Policy back, or at least, a bit of peace.
But they have voted for the GNP with 43% in 2007 and they know this party is not favorable to North Korea so it's a bit of an irony to me... The favorite for the next presidential is maybe worse so i don't get the opinion (even more when i talk with Koreans it's like nobody voted because all their presidents are shit and they have no good points).
I think they want a stable situation but without getting to close with the North, they don't really want a reunification, they vote right but they don't approve it after, but then they think about voting for a more radical person... is this even logical?
Also i think people mentioned in this article are mostly families who have family in the North, most of them are old, from this tiny percent of people voting for the working party... is that representative? :/
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 12:26 pm (UTC)I really think they should educate people to what's happening in N.Korea rather then punishing them. Maybe it is time to change the law, not supress it but make it more suitable maybe.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 12:37 pm (UTC)But yes about the repression, i don't know why they still do not have the right to possess books coming from North when they have N.Korean students who can talk with other students which is probably more meaningful than reading propaganda.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 12:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 01:06 pm (UTC)Strong opposition = 25 people. LOL.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 06:15 pm (UTC)S.Korea is a democracy, which means they have to respect freedom of speech, if they want to claim they are a democracy, that's all.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 06:58 pm (UTC)I also don't agree with him but I believe he has a right to his opinions.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 07:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-10 01:47 am (UTC)reminds me of the red scare