South Korea: Student Arrested for posting article summaries on the Internet

Derechos Human Rights

27 April 1998
Freedom of expression concern
Youngjoon Ha

On April 13, 1998, Youngjoon Ha, a student at Hanyang University, was
arrested for posting summaries of reports from progressive Korean
journals and British Trotskyist journals to a computer network.

Youngjoon Ha was reportedly arrested for violating articles 5 and 7.1
of the National Security Law.  Article 5 of the National Security Law
prohibits distributing "anti-state"materials and Article 7.1 prohibits
praising and benefitting "anti-state" forces.

BACKGROUND
---------------
In practice, these provisions of the National Security Law have been
used to imprison people for the peaceful expression of their rights to
freedom of expression and association.  The National Security Law was
promulgated in 1948 and has been amended seven times, but it still
contains provisions that violate basic rights.  The stated purposes of
the National Security Law are to suppress "anti-state" acts and to
ensure security.

The National Security Law violates the rights to freedom of expression
and association guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, to which South Korea is a signatory.  Cases brought
under the National Security Law often target supporters of
re-unification with North Korea and those who are perceived to support
or help North Korea,

RECOMMENDED ACTION:
-------------------
Please send letters/faxes/telegrams :

- expressing concern about the arrest of Youngjoon Ha for peaceful
political expression

- noting that the provisions of the National Security Law under which
Youngjoon Ha was arrested violate international treaties to which
South Korea is a signatory

- urging that Youngjoon Ha be immediately and unconditionally
released.

President Kim Dae-jung
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no
Chongno-gu
Seoul 110-050
KOREA

Telegrams:  President Kim, Seoul, Korea
Telexes: 24651 or 24652  or 24653 WOIMUBU K
Fax:  +822 770 0253

Minister Kim Jong-koo
Ministry of Justice
1 Chungang-dong
Kwachon-myon, Shihung-gun
Kyonggi Province, 427-010
KOREA

Telegrams: Justice Minister Ahn, Shihung-gun,  Kyonggi Province, Korea
Telexes: 24757  MOJUST K Fax:  +822 504 3337

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.