Hwang Seon



By Lee Kyung-min

Hwang Seon, a former deputy speaker of the now-defunct Democratic Labor Party, was grilled by police officers Monday over allegations that she engaged in pro-North Korean activities.

She appeared on Monday for questioning in Jongno, central Seoul.

Earlier, local conservative civic groups filed a complaint against her for making remarks sympathizing with the North Korean regime during a public forum held in November. There, she allegedly praised the North's former leaders, Kim Il-sung, and Kim Jong-il, police said.

Along with Hwang, the co-host of the show, Shin Eun-mi, is also being investigated.

Their alleged "anti-state" activities are banned here and are crimes punishable under the National Security Law.

Before entering the police station for questioning, Hwang denied the allegations against her claiming she is the "victim of a witchhunt."

"This investigation is baseless and groundless. I am being questioned over an incident that was never what they claim it was. I have nothing to clarify since I did not do what I've been accused of," she told the press.

"They are investigating to find facts to fit a theory, instead of investigating to find out what really happened," she added.

A police investigation was expedited after a high-school student threw a pot of gasoline on fire onto the talk show stage on Dec. 10.

The student reportedly held right-wing extreme political views, and his crime was politically motivated, according to the police. He was arrested two days after the incident.

Right after the bomb incident, on Dec. 11, police raided Hwang's office and home to confiscate her computer and documents.

On Dec. 22, Hwang filed a complaint with the prosecution against President Park Geun-hye for defamation for referring to her forum as pro-North Korean.

As for Shin, police have imposed an overseas travel ban on her. With both Hwang and Shin included as defendants, police plan to refer the case to the prosecution in January next year.