S. Korea Leader Gives Amnesty to Thousands

President Kim Young Sam granted amnesty today to more than 40,000 people--including 5,800 punished for political crimes--to clear away the “shadows over our society” left by previous military regimes.

It was the largest amnesty in South Korean history and included the release from jail of dissident leader Moon Ik Kwan, 73, dozens of activist students, and six people held since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War for spying for Communist North Korea.

The vast majority of those affected by the amnesty have already been released from jail, but the action restored their civil rights.

“This is to make a new start in the age of civilian politics,” Kim said in a nationally televised Cabinet meeting. “This is to promote national reconciliation by clearing 30 years of shadows over our society.”

Amnesties are common in South Korea when new presidents take office. Former President Roh Tae Woo granted amnesty to about 7,500 people when he took office in 1987.

Kim, inaugurated Feb. 25, is the first president since 1961 who is not a general or former general.

Human rights groups claim between 1,000 and 1,500 people are in Korean jails for politically motivated actions.

The release of Moon, a Christian pastor serving five years for making an illegal trip to North Korea in 1989, has been a condition set by the north for improving ties with South Korea.

Hundreds of dissidents and activist students have been jailed in the past for violating national security laws prohibiting contact with the north.