South Korean Dissident Travels to Pyongyang Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400560003-1 THE WASHINGTON POST 2 7. Megal Trip Draws Threat of Punishment From Seoul Government By Peter Maass Special to The Washington Post “SEOUL, ‘March 26—South Ko-. | rea’s most’ famious dissident has begun an illegal visit to communist North Korea and may be arrested wher he returns to the South, gov- ernment officials said today. Moon Ik Kwan, 71, reportedly arrived in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang yesterday via Tokyo, - marking the first time that a leading South. Korean dissident has visited, | the northern city since the Korean War ended in 1953. Visits there are - prohibited except in.rare cases ap- proved by the government. . Moon’s visit, which apparently. © surprised officials here, dominated news broadcasts .and drew a-quick-~ ‘and harsh response from the ‘gov-« ernment. [A senior South Korean prosectitor was quoted by state ra- dio Sunday as saying that Moon would -face legal action under a tough anticommunist law that car- ries a maximum penalty of death, Reuter reported... | -., Though the South and the:North are still technically at war, South Korean «President Roh Tae Woo ‘said last year that Pyongyang should be viewed as a partner, not as an enemy, and he proposed wide- ranging exchanges. Negotiations re cult A RAPOMShETOT Releane 2000s relations with North Korea have ‘pecome the focus of intense discus- sions among many South Koreans, . who for. decades were. legally pro- hibited from talking about the sub- ject and who have expressed a strong desire for reunification. Seoul, with the. consent of the main opposition parties, has prohib-- ited dissidents and militant stu- ~ dents—who have criticized Roh’s ._ efforts as being insincere and weak—from setting up. their own channels of contact with the North. Officials have said they fear that independent talks or exchanges could undermine their authority and be manipulated by North Korea to GBVESUBIA- -aeemay be arrested in South Korea . The government has also deployed _ police to block illegal prounification marches to the border. [Authorities deployed thousands of riot troops throughout Seoul on Sunday to end antigovernment protests by radical - groups, The Associated Press re- ported. No incidents were reported in Seoul but students were reported to have clashed with riot police in two southern provincial cities.] Seoul’s political reforms include allowing: the circulation of some - pooks, photographs and movies about ‘North Korea—all strictly banned until a: year ago. The govern- , ment has also allowed firms here to _ trade openly with the North, andear-- lier this year permitted Chung Ju Young, founder ‘of. the . Hyundai Group, to visit Pyongyang, where he agreed to help develop a tourist area. The visit by the Princeton-edu- cated Moon, however, goes beyond the bounds of what the government is willing to tolerate. Moon grew up in northern Korea but fled south ‘in the 1940s after his father, a Pres- byterian minister, had. been jailed twice by the communists. __ Moon, frequently jailed in the South during the 1970s and 80s, was invited to Pyongyang earlier this year to participate in talks that North Korea proposed between po- litical leaders from each side. The abe urope Gane Asia Africa Afghan Rel Prize Captu Soviet Tank AFGHAN, From Al’ squadron, manned by oth Afghan Army. tank. crew guerrilla trainees: *:. a “We have 10 tanks in w der, and. we are training: heddin to use them,” he tank driver claimed that he taught by a captured Sc crewman four years ago. ‘ 10 months to learn,” he ad ROPSSOOTHBRUVOScOUOST
I Feeta meen seen en tis atatt reyeorta Koreans’ Love for the US, Has Eadeshook ‘youn Approve MOON, From A1é The younger had similar States—was the 1980 Kwangju up- _ impressions when he studied in the Tising, in which more than 200 peo- Their criticism of the United U.S. from 1951 to 1961 at several ple were killed when the military States is rooted in a sense of be. Seminaries, Still, he began to €xpe- government of Chun Doo Hwan trayal. South Koreans are steeped rience some uneasiness, even some sent troops into the Provincial cap- in the hierarchical conceptions of hints of Tacism, although none of ital to put down a student-led rebel- janism, and in their view the this was yet strong enough to lion against the regime. . _§ role of respected authority figure - change his pro-American disposi- At the outset of the crisis, Moon ~ the United States took on four dec- tion, He recalled that when he be- Kwan Was accused of helping plot a ades ago meant that in return for came Engaged to an American wo- revolution and jailed. He was pris- the loyalty of people here their in- man, a close American friend told oner number 202, and the re- terests would be protected. The him that she would have been op- nowned opposition leader Kim Dae rage now felt by some South Ko- posed to his marrying her daughter, Jung was number 201. While in jail, reans derives from their Perception “Americans were kind to me, but Moon Kwan learned of the Kwangju that the United States actually | was always kept at arm’s length,” deaths and of the segations ta worked against the mterests of the Moon Hwan said in an interview at ken as fact by eet issi- Korean people by dividing the coun- his home. His wife, Faye, nodded in dents—that the U.S, aon ota tet fonts Stators and agreement. The sound of American oped the suppression o “Koreans are bitter as well as Stereo ated into the one of aes “For the first time was able to Mich he ane ns policy. pt he fet pecause being an id “shortest visit ever by a U.S. pres- . sad,” Moon Kwan says, “They feel children, who have Korean names See the Korean problem in an inter- ¥ got angry, bang ;  Rorce pilot was the only way ident.” : - i “They said, ‘We sent our boys to could fulfill his dream of becoming a : ihey are betrayed by a trusted and speak both Korean and English, Syeay context,” Moon Kwan said. Korea to die, and ROW you speak go astronaut. Bush met Opposition leader Kim : . man Rhee, Park Chung Hee, 5 A fur te Le ow idun- Dae Jung, a former Political prison- For a generation, South Koreans At anti, Poster hangs on a . Chun Doo Hwan—to me, they had ke that.’ They were arious. They “That's his desire,” Moon Said un er and dissident who for years was wall. 4 ‘ wouldn’t listen. People stood up and easily. “I cannot force him. We tried lng the var oe the United A Presbyterian deacon, Faye at reales Anant and Jn walked Se dismay; ; to help him-see differently, but he sad Nie te Of ees i < a a dis experience, idea.” . = States. Moon Ton ¢ Hwan's Amer- on. speaks fluent Korean and isa pan are pulling all the strings be- and Moor, Hwan ley the Uy hited stuck to the idea, ing lecturing Bush on the causes of ican wife, Faye Moon recalled that S0cial activist who counsels, among hind them. . . - America knew what - States for home in 4 985 with vact . Whatever their Present sympa- cdo ng b iting US. trad South Korean women used to ask others, Korean prostitutes who was happening [in Kwangju] and oe for home in The SY thies, the Moons and their country anti- ae aus, citing U.S, trade ing ifferent ideas than when he ended aan ; her for the recipe for apple pie. The Serve US. soldiers. For nearly nine +» condoned it. That was shatter- wit ere sojourn in 1901 mee! Kenn tied to America. Moon pressure as a key problem. _ Complaints In S. Kor. €a 8. KOREA, From 416 South Korean reaction to Bush's visit showed how even well-inten- tioned gestures can RO awry in the Current climate of trade tensions and rising nationalism here. U.S, officials, fearing South Koreans would feel slighted if Bush visited : a only Japan and China ou his trip, MOON TONG HWAN ler 44ded the brief stop in Seoul. But admired America for a while’ today, the media repeatedly point- ed out that he was making the es MOON IK KWAN +++ “T was 0 naive” about America ie | - years in the 1970s, she was an al- ing.” In the wake of Kwangju: Moon SO} ! Kwan still has some yellowed Pic-_ _ Even culing party chairman Park Moon name “while. Sn te ests cohol and drug-rehabilitation coun~ Kean says, “I awakened From the Ane Orde says Pa et tures of himself dressed in a U.S. Jyun Kyu warned Bush about rising i State, becoming Timothy and Ste- _ selor for the U.S, military in Seoul. dream.” our “democracy.” he es id, “The  Atmy uniform, and he plans to hold anti-Americanism, according ta | en Moon, She now laughs about the irony of Moon Hwan was traveling in Eu- [Us] government handles th e sit- M to them because “that was part South Korean Officials who attended ike a dream country,” having worked “for the [U.S] gov- ., when the Kwangju incident : F « of my life; I cannot throw them the private meeting between the Moen Tk Kwng recalled of his: per: croment that was supporting the occurred in May 1980, and was un- ponte “Who are com enetest of out.” Moon Hwan expects his pifot president and major party leaders. ception of the United States, “a dictator that was keeping my hus- able to return to South Korea be- about theraselves.... It is hope-  $0n to settle in America, and his Bush acknowledged — worries great Christian nation.” He lived band in jail.” ; ‘cause a warrant had been issued less” youngest daughter also feels more about anti-American sentiment, bat through the famous 1965 blackout After spending about eight years here for his arrest, Instead, he went For Moon’ Hwan, there is the . Comfortable in an American Tather ig it does not overly concern him, and vividly remembers how ex- translating the Bible into Korean, to the United States as a Political added dismay of competing family than South Korean environment, he according to the same sources, He ¢ traordinarily generous New York-. Moon Ik Kwan Joined his brother in exile and tried to arouse interest in loyalties, “Maybe it is because [ says. told the party leaders that he be €rs were as they helped each other opposition politics in the mid-1970s, the human-rights abuses committed — married an American; this has made Moon Hwan Prefers South Ko- lieves many South Koreans still re. Cope with the power failure. “Cour- but his dispute was chiefly with the by Chun’s martial-law regime. America my second nation,” he said, rea, but he has Promised his wife member U.S. sacrifices in the teous,” “kind,” “gentle,” and “con- generals ruling South Korea, not But Moon Hwan said he was ig- For his son in the US. Air Force, Faye that once he retires from pol- 1950-53 Korean War and that ex. Scientious” are some of the words with the United States. The turning  nored by the Washington establish- America is a first nation, and this itics they will return to the United ti flict be ved he uses to describe his feelings point for the Moons—as for most ment and shouted down by ordinary appears to pain Moon Hwan. He States “and spend the rest of our isting conflicts can resolved. ppe. : : ‘ -. i : , f . Pa - 7 In his speech to the National. As- t di te » | . about Americans in that era, Koreans now critical of the United Americans during a speaking tourin — tried © persuade his son not to join, ives there. ; sembly, Bush warned South Korea not to give in to Protectionism. The | legislators listened silently to : Bush's plea for open markets. A dozen opposition legislators boy- cotted Bush's speech. One U.S. official said Bush suc- ceeded in establishing a personal i relationship with Roh and demon- i Strating U.S. commitment to keep i its troops here. “Given the brevity of the visit, he did what he had to do,” the official said, * But one South Korean politician who asked not to he named said he believed the visit had contributed . more to illustrating the gulf be- tween the tu-4 pasta. irdsningion Fost special ee ey | correspondent Peter Maass in Seoul aN a contributed to thig report. ROH TAE WOO : planning political compromises _ . thet ha ame aww Be 2000/08/08 : See ei dun inca. ducttsmia ceca ‘ae ve: papas é Sal
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : f By Peter Maass Special to The ‘Washington Post _ . |. Korean dissident’s illegal journey to North Korea turned more contro- ‘yersial today with the disclosure that he has met President Kim Il Sung, whose last reported meeting with a South Korean was in 1972. on Ik Kwan, 1 who faces arrest once he returns to Seoul, is breaking a number of ta- boos, but the meeting with Kim is seen here as particularly explosive. Visits to communist North Korea, technically still at war. with. South cases. According to North Korean press reports monitored today in Seoul and Tokyo, the Princeton-educated -Moon and three traveling compan- “joris were at a luncheon given yes- terday by Kim, who discussed uni- fication issues with Moon. The press reports did not provide any comments from Moon, 71, a Pres- byterian_ minister “who” has been" =jailed often and is one of the father figures of South Korea’s dissident movement. - ee Teft South Korea early last | to Eaing ‘where the North Ko- ET he provided a special == “He |s PY cected to return to South Kores before April 14, when his passport expires. He reportedly | w nts to return via Faomuny om, the ere ee SEOUL, March 28—A “South _ The visit to North Korea by d dis- Korea, are banned except in rare triice : village ‘straddling ‘the ‘tense Demilitarized Zone that has divided the Korean peninsula since the war ended in 1953. Moon worked at Panmunjom, the symbol of the peninsula’s division, more than 30 years ago as an inter- preter for the U.S. Army during truce talks with North Korea. He was born in northern Korea but fled ‘south in the 1940s after his father was persecuted by the communists. Moon’s trip takes place at one of the most volatile moments so far in South Korea’s fragile transition to democracy. Hard-liners in the mil- itary and in the government, wor- ried about symptoms of social dis- order, are pressing conservative President Roh Tae Woo to crack down on dissent, and they are cer- tain to redouble their efforts in the wake of Moon’s meeting with Kim. -A small-scale crackdown already has begun. Police reportedly have seized more than 3,000 copies of pro-North Korean books and. ar- rested 11 publishers in raids last night. In a possible sign of struggles within the ruling camp, the govern- ment announced a shuffle of 49 top generals today, including the sack- ing of a three-star general who failed to salute Roh at a public cer- _emony last week. The general’s ac- tion was widely interpreted as a sign of the unease that hard-line generals are apparently feeling over the political situation in South Ko- rea. Today’s shuffle may be a bid to the powerful military, although few details were made available. ciaseDPe.corsarovsabostotose _Wennespay, MARCH 29, 1989 At Kim Il Sung Sees S. Korean Dissident Megal Visit Represents . Embarrassment to Government i in Seoul Moon’: s ; meeting with Kim, shown in a blurred photograph published in South Korean newspapers this af- térnoon, puts the government in an embarrassing position because of its new policy of encouraging friendlier ties with the North and treating Pyongyang as a partner rather than an enemy. Earlier this year, the government permitted Hyundai founder Chung Ju Young to visit North Korea, and several South Korean journalists have also traveled to the North, although none has met with Kim I! Sung. The last South Korean whom Kim is known to have met was Lee ‘Hyu Rak, then chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, who in 1972 made a secret trip to Pyon- gyang that opened up a brief period of detente. With the exception of another brief thaw in 1985, the two sides have had hostile relations. Despite its new policy of opennes to the North, the government here has banned independent contacts because it is afraid that North Ko- rea will manipulate people such as Moon to stir up political unrest and undermine its authority. Students and dissidents oppose the govern- ment ban, arguing that if Roh can state publicly, as he has, that he will go anywhere at any time to meet Kim Il Sung to promote reunifica- tion, then they, too, should be al- lowed to seek contacts with the' North. South Korea’s intelligence com- munity has come under fire for not knowing in advance of Moon’s plans to visit the North and failing to block him from doing so Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003400560003-1