Investigation Into the Circumstances and the Hidden Purpose of Song`s Entry into Korea

Oh Se-hun, a superintendent public prosecutor of the Department of Public Peace, who is investigating the case of Song Du-yul, a scholar residing in Germany, revealed on October 6 that Song submitted a 200-sheet document including self-collecting evidence and an advocate’s written opinion saying that he had never been elected and appointed as a politburo member of the ruling Worker’s Party but treated as the status of it by North Korea.

According to the written opinion, North Korea treated Song as a politburo member naming him ‘Kim Chul-su’ in the funeral commisional lists of the founding leader Kim Il-sung who died in 1994 and Oh Jin-wu, the head of People’s Military Force in 1995 in order to make use of him in the strategy of the united front, but that name had never been on the list of the politburo members announced to public through a formal procedure.

The public prosecution summoned Song again that day and made a reinforced investigation into how he was nominated as a politburo member of the ruling Worker’s Party, when he was informed of it and whether he made practical activity or not.

Besides, they made an investigation into other suspicions including how he received money from North Korea and whether he encouraged students studying in Germany to go to North Korea.

The public prosecution said if Song shows his intention to convert the ideology or submits formal handwritten documents, they will make use of it as a reference in the decision to deal with him without physical restraint.

The prosecution source said, “Nothing is decided and exile is not a judicial decision” and, “If we determine exile indictment is unnecessary and if we indict him, we should exile him after judgment.”

Meanwhile, in the inspection by the supreme public prosecution office, Song Kwang-su, a top prosecutor remarked, “We will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances and the hidden purpose of Song’s entrance into Korea.”

The top prosecutor Song, in answering to the question above by Ham Seok-jae, a member of the Grand National Party, which was “Why don’t you make it known how Song entered Korea, whether he did by disguising himself after he received any instructions from anyone and who of pro-North Korea side were involved in it?”

Song also answered, “Yes, we will.” to the question asked by Choi Byung-guk, a member of the Grand National Party, which was “Don’t you have to investigate the hidden purpose of Song Du-yul besides himself?” He added, “We will make a thorough investigation into Song Du-yul’s case according to law and principle and make an impartial decision according to the result of the investigation.”

Wi-Yong Jung Sang-Rok Lee viyonz@donga.com myzodan@donga.com