National security and constitutional rights in Korea - national security law, past and present

Abstract

As of 25 August, of the 99 political prisoners in detention, 54 were detained on charges under the National Security Law. Of these, the majority were arrested under Article 7, which punishes membership of organizations deemed to "benefit the enemy", improving relations with North Korea prompted debate on reform of the National Security Law. President Kim Dae-Jung apparently encouraged by his award of the Nobel Peace Prize, announced his support for revisions to the National Security Law, but opposition to reform in the National Assembly from both the GNP and the ULD prevented significant revisions. (Amnesty International Report 2001)