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S. Korean Paper Reveals Spy Scandal
The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported yesterday that four South Korean intelligence agents working under diplomatic cover have been expelled from Moscow. They were gathering information on North Korea. According to the newspaper, the four returned to South Korea separately “between late last year and late June this year.” The cause of their expulsion is unknown. Moscow is aware of the intelligence activities of the South Korean embassy staff. The newspaper’s sources suggested that expulsions were a consequence of a bilateral disagreement on intelligence sharing or a mistake on the part of South Korean authorities. The expulsions were not publicly announced and the agents were not declared personae non gratae. The South Korean government did not take reciprocal measures.
The author of the article, Chosun Ilbo Moscow bureau chief Kwon Kyeong-bok, said that the four were expelled in connection with a single incident, which took place late last year and concerned North Korean secrets. He said the agents began leaving Moscow after the Russian government made a request to Seoul. The two governments clearly wanted the incident to remain a secret, and the publication of the article is an unpleasant surprise for them. New president of South Korea Lee Myung-bak is to visit Russia soon.
The last spy scandal between Russia and South Korea occurred in 1998, when Russia expelled Cho Sung-woo, then a counselor t the embassy in Moscow. The FSB simultaneously arrested Russian Foreign Ministry employee Valentin Moiseev as the Korean’s contact. Moiseev was later convicted of espionage. South Korea reciprocated by expelling Oleg Abramkin, a counselor at the Russian embassy in Seoul.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 01, 2008
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