Capital punishment is provided for 103 crimes, 19 crimes,...

Capital punishment is provided for 103 crimes, 19 crimes, such as murder and espionage, under the constitution and 84 crimes under the National Security Law and five other laws.As of 31 March 2000, 67 out of 88 political prisoners were detained or sentenced under the National Security Law. Most arrests took place under Article 7 of the law, which provides for up to seven years' imprisonment on vaguely-defined charges of "praising" and "benefiting" North Korea. The National Security Law also provides for long prison sentences and even the death penalty for "anti-state" and "espionage activities" which refer to activities by South Koreans who support or help North Korea. These terms are not clearly defined and have often been used to imprison people unfairly. Moreover, the majority of people arrested under the National Security Law are held for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. In addition, Article 10 of the Law deals with those who fail to inform the investigating authorities of espionage agents sent by North Korea. In October-November 1999, after its consideration of South Korea's initial report under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, ratified by South Korea), the UN Human Rights Committee recommended that South Korea "phase out the National Security Law". It also called on the Korean government to "urgently amend Article 7 so as to make it compatible with the Covenant".

(Sources: M2 Presswire, 27/06/2000)