Memorial service for student activist held at police agency

After a long controversy, the 14th memorial service for late student activist Park Jong-Chul was held at an office of the National Police Agency in Namyoung-dong, central Seoul, Friday.

Park Jung-Ki, the victim¡¯s father, and three Buddhist priests attended the ceremony.

The father burst into tears upon seeing the place where his beloved son was tortured to death 14 years ago. It was the first time the father had visited the office.

Entering Room No. 509, where his son was tortured, the senior Park closely examined a table, a bathtub and a toilet without saying a word. He then carefully placed his son's portrait, memorial tablet, candles, incense and a bundle of chrysanthemums before closing his eyes for prayer.

After the service, Park said that he deeply missed his son and would devote his life to promoting the principles and sense of public duty for which he stood.

The father also expressed the wish that the "torture room" be preserved as a place for human rights education, saying it contains a lot of lessons on the history of the pro-democracy movement. He said he hopes to visit the site every year on the anniversary of his son's death.

Lee Wan-Bae roryrery@donga.com