Sentenced to be hanged

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 16

Sentenced to be hanged

The trial on charges of sedition of Mr Kim Dae Jung, the leading South Korean dissident, was widely regarded as a test of the intentions of the new South Korean regime.. The verdict and sentence have confirmed what many suspected—that no credence can be placed on General Chun’s promise of a new constitution and free civilian elections within a year. South Korea appears set to remain one of the world’s more repressive regimes. It is worth recalling that although world attention is focused on the fate of Mr Kim, he is only one of hundreds in custody and that allegations that the South Korean authorities are using torture are widespread. Foreign displeasure, particularly in Japan and the United States, may yet persuade General Chun to spare Mr Kim. Indeed, if General Chun’s wish is to give an impression that his regime

is less careless of human rights than has been alleged, sparing Mr Kim after he has been sentenced could be a calculated move. South Korea’s military rulers may also be deterred from carrying out the sentence against Mr Kim because of the risk of making a martyr of him. They cannot be unaware that keeping a tight lid on South Korean society spells trouble in the long term when, perhaps, foreign pressure induces the military to relax its grip or when, perhaps, internal pressures lead to further uprisings like those of earlier this year. Other countries concerned about the stability of Asia must take this danger into account. Putting pressure on the South Korean Government to spare Mr Kim and to relax its repression becomes a matter of selfinterest as well as a matter of humanity and decency.