Activists sentenced for visit to North Korea

A South Korean court jailed an elderly left-wing activist for four years yesterday for making an unauthorised trip across the border to North Korea.  Ro Su-hui, 69, was convicted of violating a strict security law that penalises pro-Pyongyang activity and bans citizens from going to the North without prior permission. Another activist, Won Jin-Wook, received a three-year prison sentence for communicating with North Korean officials to arrange Ro’s trip.

Ro, 69, entered the North via China in March last year for a memorial service marking the 100th day since the death of long-time ruler Kim Jong-il. He praised new ruler Kim Jong-un during his time in Pyongyang and was arrested in July when he returned home.

“Stern punishment is inevitable because he made a secret visit to North Korea without permission and was involved in (pro-North Korean) activities, even if he knew that his activities would be used for propaganda,” the court said in its ruling.