South Korean Activist Arrested For Allegedly Praising Pyongyang

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korean officials have arrested a leftist activist for allegedly praising North Korea, just days after they deported an American on similar charges.

The arrest comes as the government faces criticism it seeks to limit free speech.

Kim Dae-hyun, a spokesman for the Seoul Central District Court, said on Wednesday that Hwang Sun was arrested soon after the court issued a warrant.

Hwang is the former spokeswoman for a now-disbanded leftist party and has long been hounded by claims she supports Pyongyang.

Over the weekend, the Justice Ministry deported American travel writer Shin Eun-mi because of similar accusations she had praised the North.

Shin appeared with Hwang in lectures about North Korea last year.

Praising rival North Korea can be punished by up to seven years in prison.