Defector Kim Kwang Ho, who made headlines around the world last year when he re-defected back to North Korea and made an appearance on state television denouncing South Korea’s unjust system, has been charged with violating South Korea’s controversial National Security Law (NSL).
Speaking for Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Choi Seong Nam announced at a press conference today that Kim has been charged with visiting North Korea without permission from last November through January, disclosing other defectors’ personal information and that of police officers who provide security for them, and praising the North Korean regime.
Kim escaped the North for the first time in 2009. However, he soon ran into financial trouble, and lost his home in order to settle an outstanding debt owed to the broker who facilitated his defection. As life became increasingly difficult in the South, Kim then travelled to China, where he declared his will to re-defect via the North Korean consulate in Shenyang.
Upon his return to Pyongyang, Kim appeared in the infamous press conference, where he stated, “South Chosun was a really dirty world. There was fraud, trickery and scheming all over the place; I could not live in a world like that.”
South Korean prosecutors claim that Kim also revealed details about his treatment by the South Korean authorities while under interrogation by the National Security Agency (NSA). He also gave the North Korean authorities a detailed account of the curriculum at Hanawon, South Korea’s processing and education center for newly arrived defectors.
It was found that Kim also violated the NSL’s controversial clause pertaining to praise of North Korea when he asserted during the televised press conference, “I shall hold Marshal Kim Jong Eun in even higher esteem. With my fresh start I shall dedicate all of my wisdom and fervor to the construction of our strong and prosperous state.”
Following Kim’s most recent escape from North Korea he was detained by the Chinese authorities in Yanji, and quietly repatriated to South Korea on August 13th. He was taken immediately into custody and has remained under investigation ever since. His family have also been returned to South Korea.
