Political prisoners prefer S. Korea

"I decided to remain in the South because I could not part with my beloved family. My comrades who went to the North will understand me." One of the "unconverted" long-term political prisoners said Sunday that he had decided to stay in the South because of his family, although ideology is also important for him.

"I did not go to the North because of the sense of responsibility that I got to have a family to support," said Yang Hi-Cheol, 66, from Changsu, Jeolla North Province who married a Kim, 36, 30 years younger than himself in January. "In the South, I have family members like brother and sister, but no lineal family in the North."

Yang was arrested in 1962 while acting a North Korean spy and served 37 years in jail until he was released in a special amnesty on March 1 Independence Movement Day this year. Another released political prisoner named Kim also decided to stay. "I made up my mind to remain in the South just to see my sole son, 25, live here," Kim said. "I think it`s the duty of a parent and humanity that I have to watch my son marry and live a successful life in society."

Kim, born in the South, served 33 years in jail, convicted of engaging in guerrilla activities, and was released on 1989. Ahn Hak-Sop, 70, who married to a piano instructor named Lee, 40, in July, asked: "How can I leave my bride still in honeymoon?" The formerly unconverted long-term prisoners said that they felt both sorry for parting the comrades and easy for living together with their families.

One of them said, "I hope that the nation will be reunified as soon as possible so that we can meet our comrades again."

Lee Wan-Bae roryrery@donga.com