Ex-Activist’s Arrest Record Erasure Requested

It was revealed that the “Committee for Restoring Honor and Reviewing Compensation for Those Involved in Democratic Movement” requested former Democratic Labor Party (DLP) Central Committee member Lee Jung-hoon’s previous conviction record be erased while restoring honor to him. Lee was recently apprehended for contacting a North Korean agent.

According to the Committee’s review documents acquired on October 27, the Committee asked the Ministry of Justice to erase Lee’s conviction record based on Article 5 Section 3 of “Law Related to Restoring Honor and Reviewing Compensation for Those Involved in Democratic Movement.” However, the record was not erased as the Ministry rejected the request for the reason of insufficient legal grounds.

Lee demanded mental and material compensation for serving a two year and nine month jail term for occupying the U.S. Culture Center by force in 1985.

The Committee decided to restore honor to Lee and grant 39.28 million won as a life subsidy.

The Committee also restored honor to DLP vice secretarial head Choi Ki-young, 41, who was apprehended along with Lee and granted 8.93 million won on the decision by majority despite two members’ objection.

On the other hand, the Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the first division of public security in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office verified that the apprehended Korean American Chang Min-ho (Michael Chang), 44, is a member of the Labor Party in North Korea and received tens of thousands dollars as operational funds.

The NIS and prosecutors are going to request an arrest warrant on October 28 for Choi and businessman and former student activist Lee, 43, who were apprehended on October 26.

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