A long-term prisoner of conscience, Ahn Hak-seop (95), tried to travel to North Korea via Panmunjom on the 20th, but was stopped by military authorities at the Unification Bridge in Paju.
The 'Ahn Hak-seop Return Promotion Committee,' composed of the People's Democratic Party and others, held a rally in front of Imjingang Station on the Gyeongui Line in Munsan-eup, Paju, at 10 a.m. that day, claiming, 'Immediately return the war prisoner Ahn Hak-seop.'
Ahn said at the rally, 'I had to endure all kinds of humiliation, torture, and violence for not writing a confession, and being born during the Japanese occupation, I experienced American humiliation and suffering, and it is too unjust to be buried here even after death.'
Rev. Lee Jeok, co-leader of the promotion committee and pastor of the Peace Church, said, '(After his release) Ahn has been living in the Min-Jeong line area for about 10 years now, unable to go anywhere, and has been working for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.' He added, 'Prisoners can return to their homeland at any time. We must not block them.'
Ahn and the promotion committee marched toward the Unification Bridge holding a banner that read, 'We're going to the North! Make way!' They shouted, 'Immediately return war prisoner Ahn Hak-seon' and 'Send war veteran Ahn Hak-seon back to his homeland right now!'
Ahn traveled by vehicle due to health issues. After about 1 hour and 20 minutes, he arrived at the southern end of the Unification Bridge, about 200 meters from it, and began to enter the Unification Bridge with the help of Pastor Lee and others, using a cane.
They arrived at the southern checkpoint of the Unification Bridge around 11:40 a.m., and military authorities blocked their movement, stating that they entered without prior permission. From the Unification Bridge, civilian access is restricted, and permission from military authorities is required to enter. Entry into areas such as Panmunjom and the demilitarized zone must be approved by the United Nations Command.
Ahn also displayed a banner at the southern end of the Unification Bridge. He was later transported to a hospital by an ambulance due to his deteriorating health.
Ahn was born on Ganghwa Island in Incheon and enlisted in the North Korean army during the Korean War. He was captured in April 1953 and sentenced to 42 years in prison under the National Defense Law (for treason), being released in 1995. The government of Kim Dae-jung repatriated 63 long-term prisoners of conscience through Panmunjom in September 2000 during the 6.15 summit, but Ahn stayed in Korea, saying he would 'continue to fight until the U.S. leaves.' Since then, our government has not sent any long-term prisoners of conscience to North Korea.
Earlier, the Ministry of Unification stated on the 18th that it had received a request for repatriation from a total of 6 surviving long-term prisoners of conscience, including Ahn, Yang Won-jin (96), Park Soo-bun (94), Yang Hee-cheol (91), Kim Young-sik (91), and Lee Kwang-geun (80).