US concerned S. Korea’s National Security Law limits freedom of expression

A Korean American Shin Eun-mi, center, arrives at the Incheon International Airport for departure in Incheon, South Korea, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015. (Yonhap)

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) — The United States is concerned South Korea’s National Security Law limits freedom of expression, the State Department spokeswoman said last week, as she spoke about the case of a Korean-American woman facing deportation from the South for violating the law.

The woman, Shin Eun-mi, has been accused of making pro-North Korean remarks in violation of the National Security Law that prohibits any “anti-state” activities attempting to praise, encourage or propagandize North Korean political ideals.

After a police investigation, the prosecution decided to deport her and asked the justice ministry to approve the decision. Once deported, she will then be barred from entering South Korea for the next five years, officials said.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that she is aware of Shin’s case.

“The laws and I think the application of the national security law was what was used here. I think broadly speaking our view is that the Republic of Korea has shown a consistent and longstanding commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights,” Psaki said.

“And, as it relates to the law, we’re concerned that the national security law, as interpreted and implied in some cases, limits freedom of expression and restricts access to the Internet,” she said.

That does not mean, however, the U.S. has broad concern about South Korea’s overall record on freedom of expression, saying the South has “a strong record on human rights and freedom of expression” and what the U.S. is concerned about is just the “application of the particular law in some cases.”

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One Comment

1. Laurence Fromm

   January 13, 2015 at 8:36 PM

   ROK’s law is just fine. ROK needs stability and safety more than it needs recklessness. The DPRK’s Jong Un has sealed up the border better than many experts had expected. Who is complaining about that? There is still a war on. The US Administration is making a error.

   Reply