S. Korea Indicts Opposition Leader Kim Dae Jung Over Associate’s Trip

The government today indicted Kim Dae Jung, leader of South Korea’s largest opposition party, and two lawmakers on charges of failing to report a legislator’s secret trip to Communist North Korea.

Prosecutors issued a statement saying the three were accused of failing to report the visit of National Assemblyman Suh Kyung Won to the north in August, 1988. The statement said they would not be detained. Prosecutors said the indictments were being sent by registered mail and the first court hearing probably will be held within a month.

Could Face 5-Year Terms

If convicted, Kim, head of the Party for Peace and Democracy, Kim Won Ki the party’s parliamentary floor leader, and Rep. Lee Chul Yong could be sentenced to a maximum five years each in prison.

Kim Dae Jung, who ran for president in 1971 and 1987, has strongly denied allegations that he had anything to do with Suh’s trip or espionage and accused the government of trying to undermine his party.

Suh was arrested June 28 and charged with espionage, with violating a ban on unauthorized travel to North Korea and with receiving $120,000 from North Korean agents before and during his secret trip to Pyongyang. Suh, a 52-year-old farmer elected to the National Assembly in April, 1988, was expelled from the party after his trip was made public.

Prosecutors said Kim Dae Jung would be charged with violating the law governing foreign exchange for allegedly receiving $10,000 from Suh, who they said got the money from North Korean agents.

The prosecution said Kim apparently did not know the money came from North Korea so the charge was limited to a minor violation, that anyone receiving foreign currency must report it within 10 days

In an interview Thursday, Kim accused investigators of using torture tactics on Suh and two of the nine others jailed since the case became public at the end of June.

Kim Sees ‘Turning Point’

Anticipating the indictment against him, Kim said it “would be a turning point in South Korean politics. It’s an indication the Roh regime has given up promises for democratization.”

Kim Dae Jung, 64, spent almost seven years in prison after a 1976 conviction on anti-government activity and a 1980 conviction on sedition charges. Opposition supporters say these convictions were based on trumped-up charges by repressive governments.