Indictment of Song Under Consideration

The Public Security 1st Office at Seoul district public prosecutor’s office (O Se-hyun, a superintendent public prosecutor) summoned Song Du-yul, a scholar residing in Germany who is under the suspicion of violating the National Security Law, and examined how he became a member of the politburo of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, Kim Chul-su and his activities on October 3.

The public prosecutor also investigated the amount of the money he received from North Korea and its use and the suspicion that he induced students studying in Germany and persuaded them to go to North Korea.

Song was permitted to return that evening, but the prosecution is planning to summon him again to make a reinforced investigation.

The prosecution source said, “Song spoke calmly. He defended himself in some parts and acknowledged other parts.”

The prosecution is judging him guilty in violation of the National Security Law and is reviewing his indictment.

In regards to the suspicion that Song encouraged O Kil-nam, a student studying in Germany, to go to North Korea in the mid-1980s, the prosecution will summon O Kil-nam as a reference and interrogate him.

However, they are thinking that it will be difficult to punish Song even if they testify that he received money or encouraged O Kil-nam to go to North Korea because the right of prosecution has already expired.

They are reviewing the methods of getting him to submit a document showing his intention to convert ideology or obey law besides the document he wrote at the Nation Spy Agency.

Sang-Rok Lee Jin-Young Hwang myzodan@donga.com buddy@donga.com