Russia detains South Korean man on espionage charges

Asia: A South Korean man has been detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage, local media has reported.

South Korean officials have confirmed the arrest and say its diplomats have engaged in talks for his return.

Baek Won-soon was arrested in the far-eastern city of Vladivostok “at the start of the year”, state agency Tass reported, and is now in a Moscow jail.

He is believed to be the first South Korean detained in decades in Russia on spying charges.

Little is known about his case, with South Korea’s foreign ministry saying “the details” were under investigation and “it is difficult to comment”. Its representatives were attempting provide consular support.

But Russian state media Tass quoted an unnamed official in their report saying Mr Baek is alleged to have passed on information “constituting state secrets to foreign intelligence services.”

An anonymous source in Russia’s far eastern region, who claims to know Mr Baek, told the BBC that Mr Baek had been supporting North Korean labourers working in Russia and helping them escape.

Souce:BBC