MOSCOW: A South Korean citizen named Park Won-soon has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage, according to reports from Russian state news agency TASS on Monday.
The arrest took place in Vladivostok, a far eastern city, before the individual was transferred to Moscow for further investigation.
This incident marks the first such case involving a South Korean national, as reported by TASS. However, no specific details regarding the nature of the alleged espionage were provided.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming their consulate’s assistance in the matter upon becoming aware of the arrest. However, due to the ongoing investigation, the ministry refrained from disclosing further details.
Notably, Russia considers South Korea as an “unfriendly” nation due to Seoul’s support for Western sanctions against Moscow concerning the conflict in Ukraine.
Conversely, Russia has strengthened its ties with North Korea, despite allegations from the United States suggesting North Korea’s involvement in supplying munitions to Moscow for the Ukrainian conflict. Both North Korea and Russia have refuted these claims but have expressed intentions to enhance military cooperation.
