Civic group leader indicted for meeting Northern spies

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Civic group leader indicted for meeting Northern spies

Published: 01 Feb. 2023, 19:28

People attending an event commemorating the people who died on the sunken Sewol ferry organized by the Jeonbuk People Movement at Jeonju, North Jeolla, in 2020. [YONHAP]

A long-time leading member of a progressive civic group has been indicted for violating the National Security Act by allegedly contacting and meeting a North Korean officials abroad.

The 70-year-old Ha Yeon-ho, co-head of the Jeonbuk People Movement, was indicted but not detained on Jan. 20, the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office said Wednesday.

Ha is accused of meeting North Korean intelligence agents in Hanoi and Beijing.

The activist reportedly exchanged e-mails with the North Korean agents in arranging the meeting.

Under the National Security Act, anyone who receives orders or makes contact — including telecommunication contact — with members of an anti-state organization while cognizant of the threat to national security or the liberal democratic order could face up to 10 years in prison.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which received materials from the National Intelligence Service, turned over the case to the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office on Dec. 28.

In November, the police and the intelligence agency raided the home of Ha and seized his car and mobile phones.

On the same day, officials raided the homes and offices of seven others progressive activists in Jeju and South Gyeongsang as well.

Ha has denied the allegations against him.

However, prosecutors have reportedly secured enough evidence to indict the activist.

The civic groups have accused the government of suppression and trying to shift the blame for economic difficulties, rising energy prices and other troubles onto progressive groups.

“We strongly denounce the current government that oppresses the freedom of its citizens, despite shouting about freedom whenever they open their mouth,” said the Jeonbuk People Movement during a press conference in front of the NIS's Jeonbuk office on Nov. 28.

“This case has nothing to do with oppression as we are proceeding according to the law by verifying the facts of materials provided by the NIS,” said an official from the prosecutors’ Jeonju district office.

BY KIM JUN-HEE [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]