<관련 영문 기사>

Netizens raise money for suit on behalf of late activist

South Korean netizens recently held an online fund-raiser to collect money for a lawsuit by late pro-democracy activist Chang Chun-ha’s family, Chang’s son Ho-gwon said Thursday.

His family plans to take a civil suit against the state for compensation for Chang’s wrongful conviction in the 1970s.

“Thanks to support of the citizens, we are pursuing legal action against the country,” the junior Chang said. “When I saw all those people who supported and encouraged us, the thought that crossed my mind was, ‘My father hasn’t been forgotten yet.‘”

The deceased activist’s sentence was overturned earlier this year, but his family had been unable to sue the government because they had no money for the litigation process.

The news of their hardship was posted last month on Agora, a Web board on the Internet portal Daum, and thousands of netizens pitched in to help Chang’s family. From July 8 to 31, 4,000 people raised some 50 million won ($44,500), more than enough to cover the cost.

Chang was a leading independence fighter and pro-democracy activist who fought former strongman Park Chung-hee’s rule in the 1970s. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1974 for violation of the Emergence Decree, which was declared unconstitutional and nullified in 2010.

Chang was released on health grounds in late 1974 and died the next year. The Park administration explained the cause of his death as an “accident,” but his family and supporters suspect foul play by Park’s secret agents.

Seoul Central District Court overturned the conviction in January 2013, 38 years after his mysterious death.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)