Unconverted long-term prisoners is the North Korea

North Korea

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...

n term for communist spies and guerillas imprisoned in South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

 who never renounced communism.

History

In March 1998, South Korean president

President of South Korea

The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...

 Kim Dae-jung declared an amnesty for long-term prisoners over the age of 70, as well as some suffering from disease. In February 1999, President Kim declared another amnesty for 17 unconverted long-term prisoners. In 2000, as part of the June 15th North–South Joint Declaration, sixty-three of the prisoners were permitted to settle in North Korea. There were hopes that North Korea would reciprocate by releasing Southern prisoners of war still detained in the North. A number of them left behind family members in the South; the South's Ministry of Unification

Ministry of Unification

The Ministry of Unification is a branch of the South Korean government that is charged with working toward the reunification of Korea. It was first established in 1969 as the National Unification Board, under the rule of Park Chung-hee...

 refused permission to let the family members go north with them. They crossed the border by bus through the truce village of Panmunjom at 10 AM on 2 September 2000, while a group of Southern protesters decried their return and demanded that the North return abducted Southerners

North Korean abductions of South Koreans

An estimated 84,532 South Koreans were taken to North Korea during the Korean War. In addition, South Korean statistics claim that, since the Korean Armistice in 1953, about 3,800 people have been abducted in North Korea , 480 of whom are still being held by North Korea.- Two types of Abductees...

; they were welcomed on the Northern side by a reception with a brass band

Brass band

A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...

 playing revolutionary songs.

In literature and film

A book about their experiences was published in North Korea in 2001. In 2003, South Korean director Kim Dong-won released a documentary about the unconverted prisoners, based on more than 12 years and 800 hours of filming.

List of prisoners who crossed over to North Korea in 2000

Following is a list of the 63 prisoners who went to North Korea in 2000.

Personal names are given in McCune–Reischauer romanisation of the Northern spelling

Korean language North-South differences

There are a small number of differences in the standard forms of the Korean language used in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea , due to the length of time Korea has been divided.-Overview:Korean orthography, as defined by the Korean Language Society in 1933 in the...

 (thus surnames are spelled Ri instead of Yi, Ryu instead of Yu, etc.); place names are given in McCune–Reischauer without diacritics for places now in North Korea, and Revised Romanisation for places now in South Korea.

Name	Hangul	Hanja	Birth/death dates	Place of birth	Province of birth	Years in prison	Notes
Kang Tong-gŭn	강동근		19 November 1916	Hadong Hadong Hadong County is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.-History:The county of Hadong was called 'Dasachon' when it was a part of the Jin state; later becoming a part of 'Nangnoguk', one of 12 statelets of the Byeonhan confederacy...	Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...	37	Obituary published by KCNA Korean Central News Agency The Korean Central News Agency is the state news agency of North Korea and has existed since December 5, 1946. KCNA is headquartered in the capital city of Pyongyang...
Kim Tong-gi	김동기	金東基 or 金東起	19 November 1932	Tanchon Tanchon Tanchon or Tanch'ŏn is a city in northeastern South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It has a population of approximately 360,000. Tanchon borders the Sea of Japan , into which the Namdae River flows.-Economy:Mining...	South Hamgyong	34	Interviewed by Kyunghyang Shinmun Kyunghyang Shinmun The Kyunghyang Shinmun or Kyonghyang Sinmun is a major daily newspaper published in South Korea. It is based in Seoul. The name literally means Urbi et Orbi Daily News.-History:... before his repatriation. Published a book of essays about his experiences (새는 앉는 곳마다 깃을 남긴다, ISBN 9788988996041). Two different hanja versions of his name have been reported in the media. Birthdate given as 19 October 1932 in 70th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. In August 2005, the KCNA reported in that he gave a speech to a visiting group of students from the Chongryon Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan , abbreviated to Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chae Ilbon Chosŏnin Ch'ongryŏnhaphoe in Korean or Zai-Nihon Chōsenjin Sōrengōkai in Japanese), abbreviated to Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents... -affiliated Korea University Korea University (Japan) Korea University is a university located in Kodaira, Tokyo. It was established by ethnic activist association and de-facto North Korean embassy Chongryon on 10 April 1956. Korean is the medium of instruction... .
Kim Myŏng-su	김명수		1 May 1922	Hamhung Hamhung Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...	South Hamgyong	37	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Kim Sŏk-hyŏng	김석형		18 March 1914	Pakchon Pakchon Pakchon is a kun, or county, in southern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It is bordered to the north by Taechon, to the east and southeast by Nyongbyon, and to the west by Unjon. To the south, it looks across the Chongchon River at Anju city and Mudok county in South Pyongan province...	North Pyongan	30	Also spelled Kim Suk-hyung. One of the prisoners featured in the movie Repatriation. Obituary published by KCNA.
Kim Sŏn-myŏng	김선명		20 February 1925	Yangpyeong	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	45	Also spelled Kim Sun-myung. Joined the Korean People's Army due to disgust over the prevalence of Japanese collaborators Chinilpa Chinilpa is a Korean word that denotes Koreans who collaborated with the Japanese government during its reign over Korea , or shortly before...  in the South Korean administration. Captured on 15 October 1951, and sentenced to death; sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Family refused to see him; had him declared legally dead Death in absentia Death in absentia is a legal declaration that a person is deceased in the absence of remains attributable to that person...  in 1975. Released in 1995. Blind due to cataracts left untreated by prison doctors. His experiences were the basis for the 2002 film The Road Taken, starring Kim Jung-gi.
Kim Yŏng-dal	김영달		18 March 1934	Yeongdeok	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	30	70th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Kim Yŏng-man	김영만		15 November 1924	Gurye	Jeollanam-do Jeollanam-do Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	30	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in September 2008.
Kim Yŏng-tae	김영태		23 July 1931	Kwaksan Kwaksan Kwaksan is a kun, or county, in coastal southern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It faces the Yellow Sea to the south. By land, it is bordered by Kusong in the north, Chongju in the east, and Sonchon in the west....	North Pyongan	35	Also spelled Kim Yong-thae. Trapped in South Korea South Korea The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...  after the Korean War Korean War The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union... , and fought as a guerilla in the Jirisan Jirisan Jirisan is a mountain in the southern region of South Korea. It is often considered one of the three most important mountains in South Korea , with Hallasan and Seoraksan being the other two....  area. Obituary published by KCNA.
Kim Yŏng-gyu	김용규		22 June 1923	Boseong Boseong Boseong County is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Boseong is famous for its green tea leaves. It is also the birthplace of the Korean independence activist Philip Jaisohn.-History:...	Jeollanam-do Jeollanam-do Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	34	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Kim Yong-su	김용수		30 September 1931	Gyeongju Gyeongju Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	27	KCNA gives his year of birth as 1932 in an announcement of his 70th birthday. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in June 2003.
Kim U-taek	김우택		28 October 1919	Andong Andong Andong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 in October 2010. The Nakdong River flows through the city...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	40	90th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Kim Ŭn-hwan	김은환		12 July 1930	Gwangju	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	31	Also spelled Kim Eun-hwan. Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Joined the Korean Painters' Union after moving to the North.
Kim Ik-jin	김익진		13 July 1932	Yeongdeok	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	31	Also known as Kim Il-jin. Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Obituary published by KCNA.
Kim In-su	김인수		18 November 1926	Tokchon Tokchon Tokchon is a si, or city, in northern South Pyongan province, North Korea. It is bordered by Yongwon and Maengsan to the east, Kujang to the north, Kaechon to the west and Pukchang to the south...	South Pyongan	34	In June 2001, KCNA reported that he gave a speech to a delegation of visiting students from Korea University f Japan.
Kim In-sŏ	김인서		27 May 1924	Daegu Daegu Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	36	Applied to resettle in the North in 1996, but was rejected. Obituary published by KCNA.
Kim Chong-ho	김종호		2 August 1916	Gimcheon Gimcheon Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	31	Obituary published by KCNA
Kim Chung-jong	김중종		2 April 1926	Gimcheon Gimcheon Gimcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway.-Administrative divisions:...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	29	Received a doctorate in linguistics in 2003. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Kim Chang-wŏn	김창원	金昌源	27 October 1934	Yeongdeungpo-gu Yeongdeungpo-gu Yeongdeungpo-gu is an administrative district in southwest Seoul, South Korea. Although the origin of the name is uncertain, the first two syllables are thought to be from "yeongdeung" or "divine ascent", a shamanic rite. The third syllable is "po", representing water , referring to the...	Seoul Seoul Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...	31	70th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in April 2006. Interviewed by The Pyongyang Times in September 2008.
Ko Kwang-in	고광인		5 January 1935	Gochang	Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	34	An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in May 2003. KCNA published 70th birthday congratulations in February 2005, but did not give a birthdate.
Ryu Un-hyŏng	류운형		26 December 1924	Riwon Riwon Riwon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It is located at the province's northeastern tip, and borders the Sea of Japan to the southeast.-Physical features:...	South Hamgyong	34	Prior to his arrest, held various political posts including head of the Youth Department of the Chorwon Chorwon Chorwon is a kun, or county, in Kangwon province, North Korea. Portions of it were once a single county together with the county of the same name in South Korea; other portions were added from neighboring counties in the 1956 reorganization of local governments... , Kangwon, Committee of the WPK and chief of the education section of the Information Department of the Kangwon Provincial Committee of the WPK. Obituary published by KCNA.
Ryu Yŏn-chŏl	류연철		13 February 1912	Andong Andong Andong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 in October 2010. The Nakdong River flows through the city...	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	27	KCNA gives his date of birth as 26 March 1912 in his 90th birthday announcement
Ryu Han-uk	류한욱		24 May 1911	Cholsan Cholsan Cholsan is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan province, North Korea. It occupies the Cholsan Peninsula, which juts into the Yellow Sea. Cholsan borders Yomju and Tongrim to the north, and is bounded on all other sides by water....	North Pyongan	37	KCNA gives his year of birth as 1917 in his 90th birthday announcement
Ri Kyŏng-gu	리경구		4 March 1930	Gongju Gongju Gongju , also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is located at .- History :Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo...	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	38	An essay of his was published in the Rodong Sinmun in June 2006. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Ri Kyŏng-chan	리경찬		15 November 1935		Kaesong Kaesong Kaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...	35	Joined the Korean Painters' Union after his return to the North. 70th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. Essays of his were printed in the Rodong Sinmun in February 2005 and December 2006.
Ri Kong-sun	리공순		3 December 1934	Seosan Seosan Little is known of the early life of Seosan Daesa other than that he was born in 1520 and that he became a monk. As was common for monks in this time, he travelled from place to place, living in a succession of monasteries...	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	33	70th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in November 2006.
Ri Tu-gyun	리두균		2 April 1926	Chungju Chungju Chungju is a city in North Chungcheong province, South Korea. Namsan is a mountain located on the outskirts of the city.The city is famous for the annual martial arts festival held in October. Also of note, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon grew up here....	Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do is a province in the centre of South Korea. It was formed in 1896 from the northeastern half of the former Chungcheong province...	31	An essay of his was published in the Rodong Sinmun in October 2004. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Ri Se-gyun	리세균		15 January 1922	Jeonju Jeonju Jeonju is a city in South Korea, and the capital of Jeollabuk-do, or North Jeolla Province. It is an important tourist center famous for Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals.- History :...	Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	30	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Ri Chae-ryong	리재룡		3 October 1945	Yangyang	Gangwon-do Gangwon-do (South Korea) Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...	30	First daughter Ri Chuk-bok (리축복) born 24 July 2002, according to KCNA
Ri Jong	리종		9 August 1911	Yeongdong Yeongdong This article is about Yeongdong, a region in eastern Korea. For the county of the same name in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, see Yeongdong County....	Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do is a province in the centre of South Korea. It was formed in 1896 from the northeastern half of the former Chungcheong province...	25	Birth date stated as September 25, 1911 in 90th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in October 2006.
Ri Jong-hwan	리종환		7 October 1922		Incheon Incheon The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...	43	Obituary published by KCNA
Pak Mun-jae	박문재		14 September 1922		Kaesong Kaesong Kaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...	28	Imprisoned in Daejeon; released in 1993. Still alive as of 2004, according to KCNA.
Pak Wan-gyu	박완규		10 April 1929	Cheongwon	Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do Chungcheongbuk-do is a province in the centre of South Korea. It was formed in 1896 from the northeastern half of the former Chungcheong province...	33	An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in December 2006.
Pang Chae-sun	방재순		25 February 1917	Hoengseong	Gangwon-do Gangwon-do (South Korea) Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...	38	An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in November 2006. 90th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Sŏk Yong-hwa	석용화		8 April 1925	Yangsan Yangsan Yangsan is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea.-Administrative divisions:Currently, Yangsan is made up of 1 eup, 4 myeon, and 7 dong. There are plans, however, to create a new Ungsang-eup, which would include 4 dong.-Railways:...	Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...	20	Married to Lee Chun-ja of South Korea; two daughters. Left them behind to cross over to North Korea. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Son Sŏng-mo	손성모	孫聖模	15 January 1930	Buan	Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	19	Released in June 2000. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in July 2006. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Song Sang-jun	송상준		29 July 1927		Busan Busan Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...	36	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Sin Kwang-su Sin Gwang-su (spy) Sin Gwang-su is a Zainichi Korean North Korean, was born in Shizuoka, Japan, He was involved in the North Korean abductions of Japanese....	신광수	辛光洙	27 June 1929	Yangsan Yangsan Yangsan is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea.-Administrative divisions:Currently, Yangsan is made up of 1 eup, 4 myeon, and 7 dong. There are plans, however, to create a new Ungsang-eup, which would include 4 dong.-Railways:...	Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...	15	Also spelled Shin Gwang-su. Born in Shizuoka Shizuoka, Shizuoka is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:... , Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...  according to some reports. Released in June 2000. Wanted in Japan for his alleged role in North Korean abductions of Japanese North Korean abductions of Japanese The abductions of Japanese citizens from Japan by agents of the North Korean government happened during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983. Although only 17 Japanese are officially recognized by the Japanese government as having been abducted, there may have been as many as 70 to 80... .
Sin Rin-su	신린수		1 April 1918	Cheongdo	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	30	Worked in a coal mine in his youth. 90th birthday congratulations published in the The Pyongyang Times.
Sin In-yŏng	신인영		6 December 1929	Buan	Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	32	Also spelled Shin In-young. Served in the Korean People's Army Korean People's Army The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...  during the Korean War; returned to the South as a spy and was arrested in 1967. Believed to have a wife, son, and two daughters in the North; his mother, Koh Bong-hee, continued to reside in the South. Imprisoned in Daejeon Daejeon Daejeon is South Korea's fifth largest metropolis and the provincial capital of Chungnam. Located in the center of the country, Daejeon had a population of over 1.5 million in 2010. It is at the crossroads of Gyeongbu railway, Honam railway, Gyeongbu Expressway, and Honam Expressway. Within the... . Released in the March 1998 amnesty. Suffering from leukaemia. At the time of his release, he stated, "now I want to take care of my mother for the rest of her life". However, he bid farewell to her in 2000 and crossed over to North Korea with 62 other long-term prisoners, in a scene captured in Kim Dong-won's 2000 movie Repatriation. She died in 2002.
An Yong-gi	안영기		19 June 1929	Gumi	Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...	38	Also spelled Ahn Young-gi. Prior to his arrest, designed the Okryu Restaurant Okryugwan Okryugwan or Okryu Restaurant is a restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, founded in 1960. North Korea analyst Andrei Lankov describes it as one of two restaurants—the other being Ch'ongryugwan—which have "defined the culinary life of Pyongyang" since the 1980s, and a "living museum of...  in Pyongyang Pyongyang Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was... . Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Joined the Korean Painters' Union after his return to the North.
Yang Chŏng-ho	양정호		3 April 1931	Yangsan Yangsan Yangsan is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea.-Administrative divisions:Currently, Yangsan is made up of 1 eup, 4 myeon, and 7 dong. There are plans, however, to create a new Ungsang-eup, which would include 4 dong.-Railways:...	Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...	31	Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Joined the Korean Painters' Union after moving to the North. An essay of his was published in the Rodong Sinmun in August 2004.
O Hyŏng-sik	오형식		24 January 1932	Siheung Siheung Siheung is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.In the early Three Kingdoms period, the Siheung area was part of the Baekje kingdom. It was lost to Goguryeo along with the Han River valley in 475....	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	31	An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in June 2006. Obituary published by KCNA.
U Yong-gak Woo Yong Gak Woo Yong Gak is a former North Korean commando who was released from incarceration in South Korea on 25 February 1999.He served 40 years, 7 months and 13 days in prison as one of South Korea's unconverted long-term prisoners. It has also been said that he "spent 41 years in solitary confinement"...	우용각		29 November 1929	Nyongbyon Nyongbyon Nyongbyon-gun, alternatively Yongbyon-gun, is a county in North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders the cities of Kaech'on and Anju, and covers an area of 504 km²....	North Pyongan	42	Also spelled Woo Yong-gak. Was captured in a North Korean commando raid in Southern waters in 1959. At the time of his release under Kim Dae-jung's amnesty in 1999, was believed to be the world's longest-serving political prisoner.
Yun Yong-gi	윤용기		2 August 1926	Ganghwa Ganghwa County Ganghwa-gun is a county in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea, where Ganghwa Island, as well the minor islands around it, is located.-Climate:-History:...	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	40	Obituary published by KCNA
Yun Hŭi-bo	윤희보		10 October 1917	Gwangju	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	25	90th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Im Pyŏng-ho	임병호		1 September 1916	Boryeong Boryeong Boryeong, commonly known as Daecheon, is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at , on the coast of the Yellow Sea. It lies on the Janghang Line railroad, which connects it to Seoul via the Gyeongbu Line. It is also connected to the Seohaean Expressway...	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	32	An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in December 2006.
Chang Pyŏng-rak	장병락		25 July 1934	Kowon Kowon Kowon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It lies at the southern tip of the province.-Physical features:The highest point is Palbongsan. The western reaches of the county are high and mountainous, while the east is a low-lying plain. Major rivers and streams include the Chontan...	South Hamgyong	38	Also spelled Jang Byong-lak. Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Obituary published by KCNA.
Chang Ho	장호		29 November 1920	Mapo-gu Mapo-gu Mapo-gu is a gu, or district, within Seoul, South Korea. It lies northwest of the Han River. Several universities and government buildings are located here. Mapo is especially well-known for the Hongdae club district around Hongik University. Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, Line 5, and Line 6...	Seoul Seoul Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...	32	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. Gave a lecture to a visiting group of students from Korea University of Japan in October 2003. An essay of his entitled "Society and Morality" was published in the Rodong Sinmun in October 2005.
Chŏn Chin	전진		6 July 1923	Gunsan Gunsan Gunsan is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is located on the south bank of the Geum River just upstream from its exit into the Yellow Sea. Gunsan is served by frequent railway service on the Gunsan Line from Iksan. It is also connected to the Seohaean Expressway.Kunsan Air Base...	Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do Jeollabuk-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Jeolla province, and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...	38	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Chŏn Ch'ang-gi	전창기		10 April 1918	Buyeo Buyeo County Buyeo County is a county in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Buyeo-eup, the county's capital, was the site of the capital of the Baekje kingdom from AD 538 to 660, when it was called Sabi....	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	23	Also spelled Jon Chang-gi. 90th birthday congratulations published in The Pyongyang Times.
Cho Ch'ang-son	조창손		29 August 1929	Ryongyon Ryongyon Ryongyon is a county in western South Hwanghae province, North Korea. Its Yellow Sea coast is known for its natural beauty and as an important habitat for plants and birds...	South Hwanghae	30	In poor health. Has a wife and two sons in the North.
Ch'oi Sŏn-muk	최선묵		1 July 1928	Ganghwa Ganghwa County Ganghwa-gun is a county in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea, where Ganghwa Island, as well the minor islands around it, is located.-Climate:-History:...	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	38	Released in the February 1999 amnesty. Joined the Korean Painters' Union after moving to the North. An essay of his was published in the Rodong Sinmun in March 2005.
Ch'oi Su-il	최수일		25 May 1939	Uiju Uiju Ŭiju is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The county has an area of 420 km², and a population of 110,018 .-Location:...	North Pyongan	35
Ch'oi Ha-jong	최하종		21 March 1927	Kimchaek Kimchaek Kimch'aek, formerly Sŏngjin , is a city in North Hamgyong Province, North Korea. It has a population of 196,000...	North Hamgyong	36	Joined the Korean Painters' Union after his return to the North. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Han Paek-ryŏl	한백렬		16 February 1920	Gwangju	Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...	23	Obituary published by KCNA
Han Chang-ho	한장호		1 May 1923	Myongchon Myongchon Myongchon or Myŏngch'ŏn is a kun, or county, in North Hamgyong province, North Korea. The Taepodong missile base is located here. In addition, the county is home to numerous hot springs.-External links:...	North Hamgyong	39	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Han Chong-ho	한종호		31 January 1918	Hamhung Hamhung Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...	South Hamgyong	13	Left behind a son, Han Young-su. His wife did not attend his farewell. 90th birthday congratulations published by KCNA.
Han Chun-ik	한춘익		10 June 1925	Hamhung Hamhung Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...	South Hamgyong	29	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Ham Se-hwan	함세환		12 December 1932	Ongjin Ongjin, South Hwanghae Ongjin is a county in southern South Hwanghae province, North Korea. It is located on the Ongjin Peninsula, which projects into the Yellow Sea.- History :...	South Hwanghae	34	Applied for repatriation in 1993 (at the time of Ri In-mo's repatriation) and again in 1996, but was denied both times. The KCNA reports that a daughter was born to him on 19 March 2003. In December 2006, an essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun.
Hong Kyŏng-sŏn	홍경선		21 May 1925	Cheonan Cheonan Cheonan is a city located in the northeast corner of South Chungcheong, a province of South Korea, and is 83.6 km south of the capital, Seoul...	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	33	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in December 2005.
Hong Myŏng-gi	홍명기		5 April 1929	Buyeo Buyeo County Buyeo County is a county in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Buyeo-eup, the county's capital, was the site of the capital of the Baekje kingdom from AD 538 to 660, when it was called Sabi....	Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do Chungcheongnam-do or Chungnam is a province in the west of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the south-western half of the former Chungcheong Province and remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, thereafter becoming part of South Korea...	38	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Hong Mun-gŏ	홍문거		14 September 1921		Pyongyang Pyongyang Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...	37	80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA
Hwang Yong-gap	황용갑		28 May 1924	Hadong Hadong Hadong County is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.-History:The county of Hadong was called 'Dasachon' when it was a part of the Jin state; later becoming a part of 'Nangnoguk', one of 12 statelets of the Byeonhan confederacy...	Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do Gyeongsangnam-do is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon. It contains the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. Located there is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many...	35	Released in 1989. Married a woman surnamed Kim, but did not tell her about his past as a communist agent; she only learned of it in late 1999. 80th birthday congratulations published by KCNA. An essay of his was printed in the Rodong Sinmun in 2006.