South Korea: Somiryon Artists imprisoned

Eleven members of Somiryon, the Seoul affiliate of the National Minjung Arts Movement, were arrested in March 1991. The were reportedly interrogated continuously for about 72 hours at the Hongje-dong police station and charged with activities benifitting North Korea. In July, three of them were given sentences of imprisonment ranging from eighteen months to two years. They are: Chong Son-hee, a painter; Choi Ik-kyun (pen name Choi Yol) an art critic; and Oh Chin-hee, a painter. The others were released or received shorter sentences which have now been completed.

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