Nine Former and Current Executives of People’s Democracy Party Face Trial for Violating National Security Act

Allegations of Pro-North Korea Activities, Including Demands for Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea
Accused of Promoting North Korea’s Juche Ideology and System Through Party Journal

Former and current executives of the People’s Democracy Party have been brought to trial on charges of forming a pro-North Korea organization and engaging in activities supporting the North Korean regime.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

According to legal authorities on August 18, the Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (led by Chief Prosecutor Yoon Sujeong) indicted nine former and current executives of the People’s Democracy Party, including party leader Han Myeonghee, without detention on charges of violating the National Security Act. The indictment was filed on July 9.

They are accused of forming an anti-state organization sympathetic to North Korea, holding demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea, and condemning joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises as “Northward invasion war drills,” thus allegedly violating the law with such activities.

They have also been charged with publishing and distributing the party’s journal, “Locomotive of the Struggle,” from July 2019 until recently, in order to spread North Korea’s Juche ideology and system.

Previously, police believed it was necessary to secure the custody of both leader Han and secretary-general Han Mo, and requested arrest warrants in June. Prosecutors also applied for the warrants, but the court dismissed the requests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.