So Man-sul

So Man-sul (Korean: 서만술; 17 April 1927 – 19 February 2012) was the chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), as well as a member of Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).[2]

So Man-sul
Born(1927-04-27)27 April 1927
Keishōhoku, Korea under Japanese rule (present-day Gyeongju, South Korea)[1]
Died19 February 2012(2012-02-19) (aged 84)
Tokyo, Japan
Known for
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
서만술
Hancha
徐萬述
Revised RomanizationSeo Mansul
McCune–ReischauerSŏ Mansul
In this Korean name, the family name is Seo.

In May 2006, he met his counterpart of the pro-Seoul Korean association Mindan, Ha Byung-ok. According to a joint statement signed on 17 May 2006, "Chongryon and Mindan affirmed each other that they would surely convert the long-standing antagonism and confrontation between the two organizations into reconciliation and concord in conformity with the trend of national history advancing toward national unity and reunification in the idea of 'By our nation itself', the main spirit of the 15 June joint declaration".[3]

However, Mindan's regional chapters strongly opposed the statement,[4] and Ha Byung-ok was expelled from Mindan for attempting reconciliation with Chongryon. The new Mindan leadership criticises the declaration as a North Korean scheme to use Mindan for its reunification purposes, and in November 2006 published an article citing its reasoning behind opposing the joint statement, which it called "against humanity and human rights".[5] Pro-Chongryon media blamed this on "pressure from the Japanese government",[6]

On 30 October 2006, he met in Tokyo with Paek Rak-chong, chairman of the South Side's Committee for Implementing the 15 June Joint Declaration (see Reunification of Korea).[6]

In April 2007, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department requested So and two other Chongryon officials to voluntarily attend the police station to give statements in connection with a 1970s abduction of a Japanese toddler by North Korean agents. Chongryon issued a public statement rejecting the request.

Death

On 19 February 2012, he died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo's Edogawa ward, at the apparent age of 84.[7] A funeral service was held in Tokyo's Korean Hall in the presence of funeral committee chairman Ho Jong-man and others.[8]

References
  1. Keishu Bunkyō 「徐萬述」 (Il Park 2010, p. 254)
  2. Person information Naver (Korean), 26 July 2011
  3. "Talks between Delegates of Chongryon and Mindan Held". The People's Korea. 2006. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007.
  4. Find articles
  5. "Opinions about the 5•17 Issue – Should reunite in the sprit of understanding and tolerance". Mindan News. 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. "Chairman of Chongryon Central Standing Committee Meets Chairman of Pro-Reunification Body in S Korea". Tongil Korea. KNS-KCNA. 6 November 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29.
  7. "Notice of death of So Man-sul". Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. "Memorial Service for Late So Man Sul Held in Tokyo". KCNA. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.

Sources
  • Il Park (2010). Zainichi Korean Dictionary. Akashi Shoten. ISBN 978-4-7503-3300-7.
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