News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: South Korea Appeals for Release of Prisoners in North

Date: March 20, 1999

After the escape of a number of POWs, held in captivity for 40-plus years, and learning of HUNDREDS of other captives, South Korea has appealed to the international community for assistance in obtaining their freedom.

While North Korea has consistently maintained it held NO prisoners, military or otherwisxe, consistent reports have placed numerous captive foreigners and South Koreans with her cruel borders. North Korea used a good amount of ink the past two years complaining about 3 long-term unrepatriated North Koreans held in the South, but never uttered a word of the HUNDREDs held in the starving labor camps.South Korea released teh long-term prisoners under an amnesty program earlier in the year.

As a result of 'memory banks' with names, dates and places, South Korea has now appealed to international agencies and organizatiosn for assiatnce in securing the release of POWs, kidnap victims and political prisoners. A letter states, "It is in the hope of harnessing the attention of the international community for the pursuit of peace and freedom that we ask your esteemed organization to give your heartfelt concern for the detained people in North Korea so that their release may be duly hastened," and, "to the claims that people currently detained in North Korea may be subjected to compromising conditions and unjust treatment that undermine their freedom."

The Korean Information Service (KIS) released figures just recently that put the numbers in perspective. Kidnap victims, 3,756 South Koreans, 3,303 of which were eventually returned. 454 remain unaccounted-for. In addition, 231 POWs were identified as being alive in North Korea in the Hamkyung Province. As many as 22 political prisoners are being held by the North as well.

Let us not forget in excess of 8,000 servicemen remain unaccounted-for in North Korea. And let us not forget that as recently as last year, there were reports of caucasians and possibly Americans alive, in some form of captivity, in North Korea. And let us not forget that of the countless shards and slivers returned from North Korea, onl;y a handful of men could be identified.