Top Defector's Gripe Ignites Mudslinging

Both ruling and opposition parties on Tuesday reacted strongly to allegations made by top North Korean defector Hwang Jang-yop that the government was restricting his activities.

The ruling party maintains that the restrictions are necessary to protect Mr. Hwang's personal safety, but a spokesman for the opposition Grand National Party accused the government of "insulting an old man who sought freedom in the South."

"Silencing criticism of the North shows the limitations of the sunshine policy," said opposition spokesman Kwon Chul-hyun.

The allegations came a day after Mr. Hwang charged the Seoul government with restricting his activities because he criticized the administration's engagement policy toward North Korea. Mr. Hwang, the architect of the North's policy of self-reliance, is the most senior North Korean official to defect to the South.

He said the South's National Intelligence Service notified him that it was stepping up surveillance on him after one of his articles on unification issues appeared in a Japanese newspaper.

Mr. Hwang claimed that his contact with media and politicians, public lectures and publication of books were restricted.

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party said the constraints were imposed in the interest of Mr. Hwang's safety.

"It is appropriate to limit the activities of Mr. Hwang as he needs government protection," said Lee Myung-shik, vice-spokesman for the ruling party.

by Lee Soo-jeong