Korea Dissident Ends 4-Year Exile

SEOUL, South Korea — A prominent South Korean dissident who spent four years in exile in the United States returned home Saturday, marking another milestone in the country’s process of democratization.

Lee Shin Bom, 37, an aide to leading opposition figure Kim Dae Jung, was the first dissident to return from exile under an amnesty announced July 1 by President Chun Doo Hwan, which took effect Friday.

“Until today, I have lived as a man without a country,” Lee said. “Today I return as a proud citizen of our new democracy born out of the popular will, which cannot be turned back.”

Lee was accompanied by a U.S. delegation headed by Rep. Thomas M. Foglietta (D-Pa.). Sponsored by the International Center for Development Policy, the group hopes to observe South Korea’s transition to democracy and “encourage freedom,” Foglietta said.