MDP proposes amnesty for 400 dissidents

The ruling Millenium Democratic Party (MDP) filed a motion with the government that called for 400 dissidents and public safety offenders to be included in the special August 15 Liberation Day amnesty.

Among those that the MDP asked to be included in the pardon are 35 convicts and 120 dissidents and public safety offenders who violated regulations pertaining to national security, assembly and labor.

Major social figures mentioned in the ruling party`s motion include former Dankook University professor Chung Soo-Il, a former North Korean spy known as Kansu, former Seoul Subway Union head Seok Chi-Soon, advisor for Pomminryon`s South Korean office Na Chang-Soon and Lee Chong-Hoon, a fisherman imprisoned for his attempt to travel to North Korea. The MDP also recommended that civil rights be restored to Kim Chang-Hyun, a former Ulsan ward chief implicated in the Yongnam Committee incident.

The MDP also called for the Justice Ministry to grant amnesty to some 50 election law offenders and 200 economic and other criminals by submitting written petitions and other materials.