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| South Korea Frees 41-Year Prisoner |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 03/10/2003 |
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Holding a bouquet and smiling, a North Korean man believed to be the world's longest-serving political prisoner shuffled out of a South Korean prison after 41 years in solitary confinement. Woo Yong Gak, 70, and 16 other men convicted of spying in South Korea were freed today under a special amnesty to celebrate the first anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung's inauguration. Woo said he hopes the government will allow him to return to North Korea, where he reportedly has a wife and son. Outside the prison, about 30 activists shouted for the release of all political prisoners. Human rights groups claim that more than 200 such inmates still remain in jail. London-based Amnesty International and South Korean human rights groups say they believe Woo had been in jail longer than any other political prisoner in the world. Woo has been held in solitary confinement in a 12-by-12 foot cell since being captured aboard a North Korean boat off South Korea's east coast in 1958. He was seldom allowed outside his cell except for a daily 30-minute walk, human rights groups say. South Korean law specifies solitary confinement for spies, even if they pose no physical threat. About 1,490 other people were also freed from prison. The amnesty affected about 7,300 people who were convicted of minor crimes but have been out of prison on parole. They had their civil rights restored or their criminal records erased. Since taking office, Kim has released 180 political prisoners who signed an oath to obey South Korean laws, including one making it a crime to espouse communism. But the 17 convicted spies, all held for more than 29 years, had refused to sign the oath, saying it would violate their freedom of conscience and endanger their families in the communist North. This time, the government decided not to demand an oath. |
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