Germany has raised questions over a South Korean court's sentencing of a Korean-German scholar to seven years in prison for pro-North Korean activities.

A German Foreign Ministry official, who refused to identify himself, said in a telephone interview with Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency Tuesday that the German government has a number of questions about the conviction of Professor Song Doo-yul. But the official did not elaborate on the questions.

Earlier in the day, a Seoul court sentenced Song to seven years in prison for serving as an alternate member of the powerful politibureau of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party in violation of the National Security Law.

The draconian anti-communist law bans any unauthorized contacts and communications with North Korea as well as pro-North Korean activities.

The 59-year-old Song, who was arrested and indicted late last year, has denied being a Politburo member. But he has admitted joining the North