▲ The group holds a press conference prior to their visit to the Blue House this lunchtime (© DailyNK)

The Committee for the Release of North Korean Human Rights Activist Kim Young Hwan today submitted a petition calling upon President Lee Myung Bak to show more interest in the fate of Kim and three other South Korean citizens currently in Chinese detention in Dandong.

Choi Hong Jae, the spokesperson for the committee, and family representative Kim Bo Yeon also held a brief press conference.

The hand-written petition points out, “Despite the government and Foreign Ministry’s efforts, no word whatsoever has come from China. We earnestly request that the President intervene directly so as to bring them home to the bosom of their family as soon as possible.”

Following the delivery of the petition to the Blue House, Choi commented to Daily NK, “We met an official from the secretary’s office. They told us that the Blue House will keep working [to free the men].”