Jailed N. Korean commando dies after 25 years in Myanmar prison

Jailed N. Korean commando dies after 25 years in Myanmar prison
The Associated Press , Yangon Tue, 05/20/2008 7:36 PM World
A North Korean commando has died after nearly 25 years' imprisonment in Myanmar for a bloody bombing attack against visiting South Korean Cabinet members, a prison official said Tuesday.
Kang Min Chol, 53, died in Yangon's notorious Insein prison Sunday, said the official, who demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to talk with the media. Kang was treated for a serious liver ailment in March.
He was the only survivor among three North Korean commandos involved in a bombing during an October 1983 visit by South Korea's then-President Chun Doo-hwan. Chun was unhurt but the attack killed 21 other people including four South Korean Cabinet ministers.
One of the commandos involved was hanged in Insein prison and a second blew himself up during his arrest.
After the incident Myanmar severed diplomatic relations and closed North Korea's embassy in Myanmar, but relations have warmed in recent years as Pyongyang has become a supplier to Myanmar's military. The two countries resumed diplomatic ties in April last year.
The official at Insein, where political prisoners are also held, said Kang was the longest serving foreigner prisoner and could speak the local language. (****) From www.thejakartapost.com