Pardoned S. Korea Political Prisoners Walk Out of Jail

Dozens of political prisoners were freed Friday as part of a sweeping amnesty by South Korean President Kim Dae Jung, who was once jailed for his beliefs.

Human rights groups said, however, that the clemency left several key political prisoners behind bars.

“We are very disappointed,” said Minkahyup, one of the groups. It noted that the amnesty, which affected 5.5 million people--mostly traffic offenders and petty criminals--did not free Woo Yong Gak, believed to be the world’s longest-held political prisoner. The North Korean has been held in solitary confinement for 40 years for espionage.

Seventy-four political prisoners were released, including six who are 70 or older and had been serving life terms. Human rights groups said they had been subjected to torture, some for decades.

While for most, the amnesty simply wiped records clean of traffic and other minor offenses, it meant freedom for 2,304 inmates who were being held for more serious crimes.

Those released included Shin In Young, 69, who had served 31 years as an alleged North Korean spy. He was freed from Taejon Penitentiary south of Seoul and was reunited with his 90-year-old mother, Ko Bong Hee.

Although past governments have insisted that many of the long-term prisoners are North Korean spies, Amnesty International and other human rights groups say the inmates were convicted by military courts, often on the basis of confessions elicited by torture.