The police on Thursday raided three locations in an investigation into former Democratic Labor Party deputy spokesperson Hwang Sun, who is accused of promoting pro-North Korean ideals and defending Pyongyang’s regime through her online show since 2011.

In addition, the police have applied for a travel ban on Shin Eun-mi, a Korean-American who traveled across North Korea, following her refusal to comply with police summons. 

Shin is suspected of the same offenses as Hwang, in violation of South Korea’s National Security Act. Shin had been summoned to appear for questioning at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Hwang and Shin are said to have defended the North’s human rights conditions, and claimed at a recent talk concert that North Koreans considered themselves fortunate to be ruled by Kim Jong-un.

Police officers raided Hwang’s home and two offices of an organization whose stated purpose is to carry out the June 15 joint statement. The statement, declared by then-President Kim Dae-jung and former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, calls for improving inter-Korean relations and to cooperate in achieving reunification.

Hwang and Shin also face defamation charges filed by associations of North Korean defectors. According to the associations, Hwang and Shin spread false information at the talk concerts by claiming that the vast majority of defectors wish to relocate back to the North.

The police also filed for an arrest warrant on the high school student who set off a homemade explosive device at Shin’s talk concert held in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, on the previous day.

The high school student, identified by the surname Oh, was taken into custody on the scene immediately after he started the fire.

Oh had ignited a pot of homemade solid fuel containing potassium nitrate, sulfur and sugar and threw it on the ground, causing it to explode in flames. Two people sustained burns from Oh’s device, but no serious injuries were reported. Oh also had a bottle of sulfuric acid in his possession when he was taken into custody.

During questioning, Oh said he had negative sentiments toward North Korea and that he wanted to interfere with the event by creating smoke.

The 18-year-old, who was intoxicated when he carried out the act, said he had brought the acid to threaten anyone who attempted to intervene.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)