Prof. Shin dies at 75
By Chung Hyun-chae
Shin Young-bok
Sungkonghoe University professor Shin Young-bok, a left-leaning scholar who was famous for his book, “Meditation from Prison,” died of cancer, Friday evening. He was 75.
After a two-year struggle against malignant melanoma, Shin died after it metastasized to other organs.
He served 20 years of a life sentence for espionage imposed in 1968 by the dictatorial Park Chung-hee administration, before being released on a special pardon given on Independence Day in 1988.
He then became a professor at Sungkonghoe University in 1989 and taught students
through 2014.
In 1988, on being released from prison, Shin published the book, a compilation of his own meditations and letters he wrote to his acquaintances during his imprisonment, which has inspired many readers of all ages.
Dolbegae, a publishing company which produced most of Shin’s books, will publish a revised edition of “For the First Time” next month, which was first published in 2007.
The handwriting font he developed in the prison was also popular for its unique shape, and has been used for commercial purposes for many products including local soju brand, Cheoeum Cheoreom. He received 100 million won through the font and donated the money in scholarships to the university.
Nearly 3,000 people have visited the memorial altar set up in the Catholic church at the school since Friday night to pay their respects. They included politicians -- mostly from opposition parties -- including Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, and independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo.
Shin’s funeral service will be held in the school’s church at 11 a.m. Monday. He is survived by his wife and son.