"Search and Seizure of Civic Group Official Over 'Acceptance of North Korea's Unification War'"

Remarks at the Debate Hosted by Independent Lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang

The police have launched a forced investigation into a civic group official who claimed at a National Assembly forum that "North Korea's view of war must also be accepted."

On the 22nd, the Security Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that around 8 a.m., they conducted a search and seizure at the home of Kim Gwang-su, director of the Busan Peace and Unification Center Hana, in Busan on charges of violating the National Security Act (praising and inciting, as well as assembly and communication).

Earlier, independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang held an emergency forum in January with civic groups on the theme of "Fundamental Changes in Inter-Korean Relations and Understanding the Crisis on the Korean Peninsula." At this event, Director Kim stated, "North Korea's view of war is a just war perspective," adding, "Although it is a last resort, if a unification war inevitably occurs and peace as a result can be established, that view of war must also be accepted."

In February, Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party, filed a complaint with the police against lawmaker Yoon and all forum participants for violating the National Security Act.

The police plan to secure manuscripts, emails, and books contributed by Director Kim to internet media outlets and investigate the intent and circumstances of his remarks.