The Korea Herald, December 2, 2003

Song denies Politburo role at trial

South Korean-German dissident scholar Song Du-yul again denied having acted as a Politburo member of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party during his first trial at the Seoul District Court yesterday.

He acknowledged contacting North Korean scholars and accepting money from Pyongyang, but said these acts did not constitute pro-North Korean activities.

Song, a sociology professor at a German university, was indicted last month on charges of violating the strict National Security Law.

The prosecution accused Song of engaging in pro-Pyongyang activities for the past two decades and failing to show a repentant attitude that would have made him eligible for lenient treatment.

Song, who returned home in September after 37 years in exile, has acknowledged joining the Workers' Party but has denied acting as a member of its Politburo as alleged by South Korean authorities.

His alleged Politburo membership is expected to be the focus of heated debate between prosecutors and defense lawyers during the trial.

In a statement read at the first hearing, the dissident scholar said he felt despair and anger because the conservative media had judged him before trial.

In reply to questions from prosecutors about the characteristics of the North Korean regime, Song repeatedly said he "had no idea."

The courtroom was packed with an audience numbering more than 200, including his family members and supporters, as well as conservative activists calling for stern punishment.

About 50 lawyers are joining forces to defend the dissident scholar, who has pledged to discard his German citizenship in order to live and study in his homeland.

An activist group formed to petition for Song?¥×s early release held a rally outside the court, denouncing the criminal proceedings against him as unjust.

They also handed over a letter signed by more than 900 German and other foreign scholars and civic officials to the panel of judges handling Song's case to ask for his release.

By Kim Kyung-ho

(khkim@heraldm.com)