Professor Ahn Jae-ku Enjoys Freedom

The CHR has received a letter and photos from So-young Ahn, the daughter of former Korean prisoner of conscience, Ahn Jae-ku. We are pleased to share one of the photos and excerpts from her letter. Professor Ahn, a mathematician who had been imprisoned since 1994 in solitary confinement for peacefully expressing his political beliefs, was released on August 15, 1999. He is shown above with his grandson, who was born during his incarceration; excerpts follow:

". . . you may imagine the delight of my family. We live in peace after a long time. I am happy that I can meet, telephone and talk . . . with my father at any time. This is thanks to the National Academy of Sciences entirely.

My father is in better health than he was in the prison, though he is still suffer from the rheumatism and hypertension. . . . He cannot go back to the lecture platform but he is writing ‘the history of mathematics.’

I never forget the proper action of your committee, your declaration appealed to Korean people the concern about my father as a mathematician. If there was not your efforts, my family would have met the 2000 years darkly.

. . . I wish you will always well and active, so you can give the great help to many people as to me. I transmit the greatest thanks to your committee on behalf of my family."

All excerpts from a letter dated December 20, 1999.