The Life and Controversy of Lee Geun-an: The ‘Torture Expert’ of South Korea’s Military Dictatorship

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‘Torture Technician’ Former Superintendent Lee Geun-an Dies[Yonhap News file photo][Yonhap News file photo]

Lee Geun-an, a former police superintendent who earned the nickname \”torture technician\” for overseeing coercive interrogations of pro-democracy activists during South Korea’s military governments in the 1970s and 1980s, died March 25. He was 88.He lost his wife in early 2023 and had been living alone in Seoul. His health deteriorated recently, and he was admitted to a long-term care hospital before his death, according to reports.During the 1970s and 1980s, Lee served as a counterintelligence investigator at the Police Security Headquarters. He led interrogations in numerous state-security cases that prosecutors later said involved torture.After Korea’s democratization, investigations into past abuses intensified. Lee spent years evading authorities before surrendering in 1999.He was tried on charges that included the unlawful detention and torture of abducted fisherman Kim Seong-hak. Lee was convicted, sentenced to seven years in prison and served the term.Following his release, he became a pastor and publicly said he had reflected on his past. Victims and civic groups, however, questioned the sincerity of his remorse and pressed for a fuller, accountable apology.In a 2010 media interview about the \”torture technician\” label, Lee said, \”Those who try to defend themselves and the investigators trying to break them engage in a fierce battle of wits. In that sense, interrogation is a kind of ‘art.’\” His remarks drew sharp criticism.#LeeGeun-an #TortureTechnicianYonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23Lee Jae-kyung (jack0@yna.co.kr)