Police arrest local bizman for alleged espionage for North Korea

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean police said Saturday that they have arrested a local businessman accused of handing over classified information to North Korea.

The 54-year-old man, identified only by his surname of Kang, has been charged with transferring wireless video and audio system technology that was developed in the South, as well as providing personal information on hundreds of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

Police have added that he also sent data on privately built highways in South Korea.

Authorities claimed that Kang made contact with agents belonging to the Reconnaissance General Bureau of the North's Korean People's Army.

"Kang, who is engaged in trade, had frequently visited China and made direct contact with agents and exchanged emails," an officer said.

He said Kang was arrested on Wednesday when police received a warrant to search his office.

Investigators are trying to determine how he came into contact with North Korean operatives and what other information he may have sent to the North.

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http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/yonhap-news-agency/131221/police-arrest-local-bizman-alleged-espionage-north-korea