South Korea: Prisoners held for national security offences

This document summarizes the cases of 35 prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, and members of “anti-state” groups who were arrested under national security legislation between 1975 and early 1991. (The “anti- state” groups in question are: Sanomaeng, the Socialist Workers’ League, and Chamintong, Independent National Unification Group). Amnesty International is concerned that many may have been convicted after trials which are believed to have been unfair because the main evidence against the defendants consisted of confessions allegedly extracted under duress or because of other procedural irregularities. Information is provided on the political situation in South Korea and on the National Security Law (1980) and its May 1991 amendments.

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