Park Seok-jin is a conscientious objector and prisoner of conscience, serving an 18-month prison sentence for “desertion” in Yongdungpo Prison. According to his lawyer, on 19 January, he was beaten, tied with rope and ankle chains, and put into a small punishment cell for 48 hours for showing “disrespect” to the director of the prison, after he failed to stand to attention during an inspection. He is still believed to be in the punishment cell, but the restraints have apparently been removed. According to his family, he is now denied access to some visitors and is unable to exercise.
