The representative of the civic group 'Anti-Japanese Action' was arrested on the 26th while being investigated by the police for violating the National Security Act.
The Security Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reported that Anti-Japanese Action representative Mr. Jeong was arrested near his home on suspicion of violating the National Security Act.
Earlier, the police had requested Mr. Jeong to appear several times, but when he failed to comply, it was reported that they obtained an arrest warrant from the court and executed it.
Mr. Jeong and others from Anti-Japanese Action had been staging a sit-in protest in front of the comfort women statue. It is reported that the police believe some activities of Anti-Japanese Action violated Article 7 of the National Security Act by praising and inciting North Korea.
Article 7, Section 1 of the National Security Act stipulates that 'anyone who praises, incites, promotes, or supports the activities of anti-state organizations or their members, or those who have received orders from them, knowing that they jeopardize the existence, safety, or free democratic basic order of the state, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than seven years.'
The police had also conducted searches on Mr. Jeong and other members of Anti-Japanese Action in August of last year.