Neither information on the "guilt-by-association" laws nor on the consequences of having relatives from North Korea or relatives perceived by the authorities as being communists could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

For recent and general information on the situation and treatment of people who are perceived by the authorities as "benefiting" or "praising" North Korea, please consult the September 1998 Amnesty International publication entitled Republic of Korea (South Korea): Summary of Amnesty International's Concerns and Recommendations to the Government, which is available at all Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Sources Consulted

Amnesty International (AI). September 1998. Republic of Korea (South Korea): Summary of Amnesty International's Concerns and Recommendations to the Government. (AI Index: ASA 25/27/98). London: Amnesty International.

Amnesty International press releases. 1998. (WWW)

Amnesty International Report 1997. 1997.

Asian Survey [Berkeley, Calif.]. Monthly. January 1997, January 1998.

News from Asia Watch [NY]. Monthly. 1995-present.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 30 January 1998.

The Europa World Year Book 1998. 1998.

Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly. 1996, 1997.
LCHR. 1997.

Critique 1996.

Resource Centre. "Korea" country file. June 1995-present.

_____. "Korea: Amnesty International" country file. January 1997-present.
USCR. 1998.

World Refugee Survey 1998.

Electronic sources: CISNET, Internet, IRB Databases, NEXIS, REFWORLD.

Non-documentary sources:

Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ottawa.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact five oral sources.