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South Korean spies sought Australian trade secrets South Korean spies sought Australian trade secrets
(12 days later)
Agents from South Korea's national intelligence service have tried to get secret information about Australian trade, triggering the dismissal of an Australian public servant over his links to the agency.Agents from South Korea's national intelligence service have tried to get secret information about Australian trade, triggering the dismissal of an Australian public servant over his links to the agency.
The spy case dates back to 2010 and relates to efforts by South Korea to find out about Australian agricultural trade when the two nations were in early negotiations on a free-trade agreement.The spy case dates back to 2010 and relates to efforts by South Korea to find out about Australian agricultural trade when the two nations were in early negotiations on a free-trade agreement.
Australia's foreign minister, Bob Carr, refused to comment on details of the case on Thursday, citing "matters of security or intelligence", but said the issue had caused no diplomatic tension with Seoul, a strong ally and key trading partner.Australia's foreign minister, Bob Carr, refused to comment on details of the case on Thursday, citing "matters of security or intelligence", but said the issue had caused no diplomatic tension with Seoul, a strong ally and key trading partner.
"I believe the relationship with the Republic of Korea is so strong, so robust, that this will have no effect on it," Carr said."I believe the relationship with the Republic of Korea is so strong, so robust, that this will have no effect on it," Carr said.
South Korea is Australia's fourth biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade worth more than A$32bn (£21bn). The two countries launched free-trade talks in 2009, but have yet to clinch a deal.South Korea is Australia's fourth biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade worth more than A$32bn (£21bn). The two countries launched free-trade talks in 2009, but have yet to clinch a deal.
The case became public after Australia's federal court lifted secrecy orders surrounding the incident. The public servant, Yeon Kim, is fighting in the courts to overturn a decision by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) to strip him of his security clearance, which means he has been effectively sacked from his job in the agriculture department.The case became public after Australia's federal court lifted secrecy orders surrounding the incident. The public servant, Yeon Kim, is fighting in the courts to overturn a decision by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) to strip him of his security clearance, which means he has been effectively sacked from his job in the agriculture department.
In a minor victory for Kim, a federal court judge ruled that suppression orders could be removed from the case as secrecy could prejudice his legal battles.In a minor victory for Kim, a federal court judge ruled that suppression orders could be removed from the case as secrecy could prejudice his legal battles.
No South Korean diplomats were expelled over the incident.No South Korean diplomats were expelled over the incident.
Asio said Kim had engaged in "inappropriate activities". In 2011 it found that Kim had failed to report contacts with the South Korean officers and had been successfully cultivated by South Korea's spy agency.Asio said Kim had engaged in "inappropriate activities". In 2011 it found that Kim had failed to report contacts with the South Korean officers and had been successfully cultivated by South Korea's spy agency.
Kim and his legal team, and the South Korean embassy in Canberra, refused to comment on the case.Kim and his legal team, and the South Korean embassy in Canberra, refused to comment on the case.
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