Justice Ministry Allowed 34 Anti-government Activists to Enter Country

The Ministry of Justice announced Thursday that it had decided to allow 34 people who led anti-government activities overseas in the 1970s and 80s, including Kwak Dong-ui, head of Hantongnyoen, an association of Korean residents in Japan for democratic reunification of Korea, to enter Korea on Friday.

"At the request of the National Intelligence service, the Ministry decided to allow 30 Korean residents in Japan, members of Hantongnyeon, and four activists residing in Europe," a Justice Ministry official said. "The decision is to reflect changes in times and for social tolerance and national unity.

However, the Ministry said that if they enter the country, those who violated the law would be subject to investigations by investigative institutions within some extent.

They are scheduled to participate in an event for overseas pro-democracy activists, organized by the Korea Democracy Foundation, on September 22.

However, the list of the 34 people did not include Song Doo-yul, a Korean professor at Muenster University in Germany, who showed his intention to visit Korea for the event.

"At the first place, the Ministry invited 50 activists residing overseas, including professor Song. But later the Ministry knocked 16 people off the list. If Song wants to enter the nation, the Ministry will allow his entry," a Justice Ministry official said.

However, the nation’s top intelligence agency keeps the position that it is inevitable for the agency to conduct investigations into his pro-North Korea activities, if he comes back home.

Sang-Rok Lee myzodan@donga.com