Professor Park Chang-hee, a professor of history, has been imprisoned on charges which International PEN considers to infringe his right to freedom of expression and association. Professor Park, a professor of history and author of a number of books and theses on Korean history, was arrested on 26 April 1995 on charges under Article 8 […]
Professor Park Chang-hee, a professor of history, has been
imprisoned on charges which International PEN considers to infringe
his right to freedom of expression and association. Professor Park,
a professor of history and author of a number of books and theses
on Korean history, was arrested on 26 April 1995 on charges under
Article 8 of the National Security Law. He is accused of meeting
with a “pro-North Korea” contact in Japan.
It appears that Professor Park is held solely for the practice of
his right to freedom of expression. International PEN believes that
the contacts he made in Japan during his several visits there were
done in the interest of his academic research on the history of the
Japanese Occupation of Korea. Papers related to his academic
research were seized from his home. Of particular concern are
reports that Professor Park claims to have been ill-treated while
under interrogation in order to force him to confess to being a
member of the North Korea Workers’ Party. He alleges that he was
subjected to sleep deprivation, forced consumption of alcohol while
in a weakened state, and beaten. Visitors testify that he appeared
disorientated and in distress.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Send appeals to Korean authorities:
– expressing concern that Professor Park Chang-hee appears to be
detained solely for his research on Korean history
– requesting further details of the charges and evidence against
him
– urging that he be immediately released if he is indeed being
detained solely for his academic research ;
– urging the South Korean authorities to initiate an investigation
into the allegations that Professor Park was ill-treated in custody
Appeals To
Mr Ahn Woo-man
Minister of Justice
1 Chungang Dong
Kwachon-myon
Shihung-gun
Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea
Fax: +822 504 337
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
