S. Korean human rights activist killed in car wreck in China

Kang Ho-bin, a South Korean human rights activist and survivor of an apparent assassination attempt in 2011, died in a car accident in China on Sunday.

Kang, who had been working for North Korean human rights in China’s Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture for more than 10 years, died in a car accident on Sunday as he was driving to a church at about 2 p.m.

Officials at the church said that Chinese authorities have not elaborated on the accident, but said that Kang is suspected of having fallen asleep at the wheel.

Although the Chinese authorities were initially vague about the accident, raising suspicions about the circumstances of Kang’s death, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since said that there is no evidence to suggest North Korean involvement.

The ministry, however, will request an additional investigation if Kang’s family questions the findings of Chinese authorities.

In the alleged assassination attempt last year, Kang was injected with poison in Yanji on Aug. 22, but survived the attack.

The apparent attempt came a day after a South Korean missionary died under suspicious circumstances in Dandong, Liaoning Province.

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