Letter received from Professor Ahn Jae-ku

October 14, 1999

Dear Carol Corillon

I was released from prison on special amnesty on August 15. Although I am not restored to my rights as a citizen I am very happy to be at home with my family.

I feel that I should express my gratitude to you earlier. Due to the long periods of imprisonment, I was slow in recovering. Therefore I write a letter to you now.

The efforts of the democratic people in Korea and the people who are interested in the human rights in the world can make me be released and especially I believe the Committee on Human Rights of the National Academy of Science had played an important part for my release.

I very much appreciate the efforts of the National Academy of Science and also your help, and I feel deeply in private your common bonds for your pains.

I had been imprisoned for 15 years and couldn't study my research field. Now I can't work at university of research institution because I am not restored to my rights.

I can't abandon my devotion to the pursuit of learning and our society. Even though I can't get a job as a professor or a researcher, I will make my efforts for scholarly attainments by writing books concerning the history of mathematics at my home. And also I will continue the movement for the unification of Korea.

Please inform your everybody interesting for my resolutions and that I am getting sound in mind and body.

I hope that we can meet someday when I am restored to my rights. To do that, our society should secure people's freedom.

Once again I wish you and the members of the National Academy of Science good luck.