Children Of Queens Man Jailed In South Korea Tell Powell:

Bring Our Dad Home
Song, who resides in Rockaway Beach, was arrested on Feb. 27 when he traveled to Seoul to testify on behalf of the books publisher. Imprisoned ever since, Song faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
The familys eldest son, Ahnyon, 16, said that although he has been in contact with his father via fax sent through the U.S. Embassy, he has been treated poorly. "From time to time, we feel hopeless that this is not going anywhere," said Ahnyon.
Convinced that her husband had committed no crime, Songs wife, Sook turned to Congressman Gary Ackerman and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for assistance.
"South Korean authorities have had Mr. Song in custody for almost six weeks and even indicted him without a public statement of what he is being charged with," said Schumer Sunday. "This is the kind of behavior we have come to expect from North Korea, not South Korea."
The Senator wrote a letter to Powell requesting he pressure the South Korean government to explain the charges against Song, and if they stem strictly from his involvement with the book, that he be released immediately. "Freedom of expression is one our most cherished and fundamental rights," they wrote. "Exercising it certainly does not merit imprisonment." The letter was mailed Sunday, but has yet to receive a response from the State Dept.
Ackerman, a member of the House International Relations Subcommittee in Asia, which monitors and establishes U.S. policy toward Asian nations, said the South Korean government was infringing upon Sooks freedom of expression. "If he is simply guilty of having a bad idea, then he should be freed at once," said Ackerman. "There are tens of thousands of other citizens who have equally objectionable beliefs. Should they dare not visit South Korea?"
A copy of the book, which is written in Korean has been obtained by Ackerman, and is currently in the process of being translated.
South Korean Consul General Hang-kyung Kim, in town for a visit with Borough President Claire Shulman, last week said the American Consul could visit Song, and that the case was going through South Koreas legal process.
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