(Joong Ang Daily, South Korea, October 9)

Mr. Min-chol Kang, a North Korean national, is happy with his imprisonment in the notorious Insein prison and hopes to spend his remaining days there.

Imprisoned for life in 1984 for his role in the terrorist attack against a delegation of South Korean in which 17 South Koreans were killed shocked the world. The unforeseen attack embarrassed and angered the Burmese people, who today have forgotten the incident.

The attack took place on October 9 before a memorial service at Rangoon's Aungsan Mausoleum, that almost sparked an all out war between the North and South.

Three North Koreans were involved in the attack and were caught immediately by the Burmese police, they resisted arrest with one being shot and killed, one was later hanged and Mr. Min-chol Kang was sentenced to life in prison.

With the exceptions of medical checkups from time to time and an official visit by a South Korean government representative in 1993 in which Mr. Kang said he felt no remorse for what he did, Mr. Kang is forbidden to have visitors. Recently the South Korean ambassador was turned down a visit with Mr. Kang but according to authorities he behaves well and is healthy. Mr. Kang is concerned of his future, a right's activist was quoted as saying, "but he is happy learning English and studying Buddhism". Mr. Kang has had no contact with North Korea since his arrest.

"Many Burmese people criticized him for committing such horrible terror in their land, but some commiserate with him by saying that he is probably a hero in North Korea," a prison guard said.