Russia detains South Korean, Baek Won-soon, accuses him of espionage in ‘top secret’ case, state media
- The man identified by Tass news agency as Baek Won-soon is suspected of passing on information ‘constituting state secrets to foreign intelligence services’
- South Korean media described Baek as a missionary who supported North Korean labourers. It’s the first time a South Korean has been arrested for espionage in Russia
The news agency said it is the first time that a South Korean has been arrested for espionage in Russia.
Tass said the man, identified by the agency as Baek Won-soon, was detained “at the start of the year” in the far eastern city of Vladivostok and was taken to Moscow at the end of February. He is being held in Lefortovo Prison, where a court on Monday ordered his detention extended until June 15, Tass said.
The man, named as Baek Won-soon, was transferred from Vladivostok to Moscow and is accused of handing over classified information to foreign intelligence agencies, Russian state news agency Tass reported.
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South Korean media reports on Tuesday said that Baek was a missionary who supported North Korean labourers based in Russia’s Far East.
Baek, 53, was described as a “deeply religious” person who was also registered as the founder of a travel company based in Vladivostok, according to Tass.
Tass cited an unnamed law enforcement official as saying the suspect passed on information “constituting state secrets to foreign intelligence services.” The case has been labelled “top secret” and no further details have been made public.
“Upon learning of the arrest, the local diplomatic mission has been providing necessary consular assistance,” it said.
Over the past year, Russia has detained multiple foreign nationals and accused them of committing various offences.
South Korea has been designated an “unfriendly country” by Moscow, after Seoul imposed sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Espionage carries a maximum jail term of 20 years in Russia.
Last month, Tass reported a German man had been detained and accused of smuggling drugs. Also in February, Russian state news agencies reported a dual US-Russian woman identified as Ksenia Khavana was arrested on charges of committing treason.
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Russia has previously been accused of targeting foreign citizens to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russian prisoners abroad. The Russian government has denied the accusations.
Gershkovich is also held in Lefortovo Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. The prison dates from the czarist era and has been a terrifying symbol of repression since Soviet times.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse, Reuters
