Aug. 2, 2012
Chosun Daily

Chunwon Lee Gwang Su and 364 Others Recognized as Korean War Abductees


The novelist Chuwon Lee Gwangsu and 364 others have been recognized as victims of North Korean abduction, the National Committee on Investigating Abductions during the Korean War announced on the 15th. The total number of people the South Korean government recognizes as Korean War abductees has now risen to 1107.

Originally from Jeongju, North Pyeongan province, Lee was abducted by North Korean forces from his home in Hyoja-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, in early July 1950. He is reported to have died on his way to North Korea near Manpo-myeon, Ganggye-gun, Jagang province, on October 25, 1950.

Included in the newly recognized 364 abductees was Yi Chun Ho (the second president of Seoul National University), Son Jin Tae (the dean of Seoul National University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), and O Tae Yeol and Yu Gi Su, who were both National Assembly lawmakers.

The National Committee on Investigating Abductions during the Korean War, which was established early last year, has been charged with investigating Korean War abduction cases. These investigations include confirming that abductions took place, confirming the identities of abductees, family members and their relationship, restoring the honor of abductees, confirming the whereabouts of abductees and working for their repatriation. The government has used seven Korean War abductee lists to estimate that there are more than 100,000 wartime abductees.