Arrest Warrant Rejected for Progressive Economist
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Central District Court rejected Friday an arrest warrant for ``progressive activists'' accused of denouncing capitalism.
Police Tuesday had arrested Oh Se-cheol, honorary professor at Yonsei University, and seven other Socialist Workers League of Korea members for violating the National Security Law.
The court said, ``No evidence shows that the group damaged society with fatal ideas.''
Police said league chairman Oh and others released leaflets and other materials denouncing capitalism, adding the group's flags were seen at candlelight protests against U.S. beef imports.
Oh also allegedly sought to form a revolutionary socialist group by saying, ``We are revolutionary forces publicly declaring a world proletarian revolution and expressing our determination to struggle with proletariats of the world, including those in Korea,'' on the group's Web site.
Oh and friends responded that they have always cited North Korea as an example of failed socialism, denying they praised the communist nation. He also said punishing someone for his or her ideas and beliefs is wrong.
Oh is a renowned economist who has served as business school dean at Yonsei University and president of the Korea Academic Society of Business Administration.
Civic groups supporting him also welcomed the court's decision. ``This is not the `public security' era when police used excessive force against people under the name of keeping the peace under authoritarian governments,'' one group said.
Police, however, said they would consider reapplying for an arrest warrant as soon as they collect more information.