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South Korean man sentenced to 5 years for North Korean espionage
A 43-year-old South Korean man has been sentenced to five years in prison and five years of suspension of qualifications for spying for North Korea. The Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of violating the National Security Act after he collected sensitive information on North Korean defectors and active-duty military personnel.
Between May and June 2021, the man received approximately 660 million won in cryptocurrency from a North Korean agent, ostensibly for cryptocurrency investment operations. Using these funds, he approached leaders of defector groups to gather information on their activities, including the distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets. He also obtained personal details of seven military officers and hired a private investigation agency to track the movements and residence of one captain.
The court emphasized that information regarding defectors who oppose North Korea is a protected secret, as its disclosure could lead to retaliation against them or their families in North Korea. This case follows a previous conviction for the man in December last year, where he received a four-year sentence for leaking military secrets to North Korean agents.
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Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The man was instructed to collect personal information on seven active-duty military officers to attempt recruitment. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The man received approximately 660 million won in virtual currency from a North Korean agent for cryptocurrency investment operations. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defendant hired a private investigation agency to track an officer's movements and residence using 2.5 million won in cryptocurrency. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defendant collected information on North Korean defectors, including photos and videos of anti-Pyongyang leaflet distributions. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] A 43-year-old man was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of suspension of qualifications for violating the National Security Act. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The man was previously sentenced to four years in prison in December last year for leaking military secrets to North Korea. www.imaeil.com · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The court ruled that information on anti-Pyongyang defectors is a protected secret because it could be used for retaliation against them or their families. www.imaeil.com · news.az · www.koreaherald.com