"Korean Arrested on Espionage Charges in Russia"

by Byun Seonjin

Published 12 Mar.2024 07:27(KST)

Updated 12 Mar.2024 07:52(KST)

One Korean was arrested on espionage charges in Russia, Russian state news agency TASS reported on the 11th (local time).

[Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

TASS, citing judicial authorities, stated, "During the investigation of the espionage crime, the identity of the Korean was confirmed." TASS revealed that the Korean's surname is 'Baek.' This is the first time a Korean has been arrested on espionage charges in Russia.

TASS reported that Baek is suspected of passing state confidential information to a foreign intelligence agency. It also added that the criminal case materials related to Baek have been classified as top secret. Details of the charges and other information have not been disclosed due to security reasons.

Baek was detained in Vladivostok earlier this year and was transferred to Moscow at the end of last month for further investigation, where he is being held at the Lefortovo detention center. The Russian daily Kommersant reported that Baek was arrested last year. This means that the fact was made public through the media several months after the arrest. The Moscow Lefortovo court announced on the same day that it extended Baek's detention period until June 15 in a closed hearing.

Baek, who is involved in religious work, is known to have entered Vladivostok by land from China in January and was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) while living there for a few days. The FSB reportedly did not notify the Korean side of Baek's arrest but sent a document last month to inform them.

Russia designated South Korea as a non-friendly country in 2022 due to South Korea's participation in Western sanctions against Russia. If Baek's release is delayed or he receives a heavy sentence, South Korea-Russia relations could further deteriorate. If convicted of espionage in Russia, one can be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. The Russian Criminal Code's provisions on espionage apply to foreign citizens and stateless persons suspected of collecting, stealing, or storing information about Russian state secrets or military and government security under the direction of foreign intelligence agencies.