This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/07/north-korea-arrest-south-spy

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North Korea claims arrest of South Korean spy North Korea claims arrest of South Korean spy
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea's security agency says it has arrested a South Korean spy in Pyongyang who intended to rally anti-government forces, a claim that intelligence officials in Seoul promptly dismissed as ridiculous and groundless.North Korea's security agency says it has arrested a South Korean spy in Pyongyang who intended to rally anti-government forces, a claim that intelligence officials in Seoul promptly dismissed as ridiculous and groundless.
Pyongyang regularly accuses Seoul and Washington of working to sabotage its authoritarian system, statements that outside analysts see as a way to strengthen domestic support for the North's leader, Kim Jong-un. But specific claims that an individual spy has been captured, especially before an investigation is concluded, are unusual.Pyongyang regularly accuses Seoul and Washington of working to sabotage its authoritarian system, statements that outside analysts see as a way to strengthen domestic support for the North's leader, Kim Jong-un. But specific claims that an individual spy has been captured, especially before an investigation is concluded, are unusual.
The few details in the statement by an unidentified spokesman for the North's state security ministry could not be independently verified. North Korea said the South Korean man confessed to entering the country illegally, but there was no statement from him nor details about his condition or legal representation.The few details in the statement by an unidentified spokesman for the North's state security ministry could not be independently verified. North Korea said the South Korean man confessed to entering the country illegally, but there was no statement from him nor details about his condition or legal representation.
The security ministry said the South Korean initially claimed to be a Chinese citizen living in North Korea, and then a citizen of another country.The security ministry said the South Korean initially claimed to be a Chinese citizen living in North Korea, and then a citizen of another country.
The initial investigation found that the South Korean spent six years in a country bordering North Korea using religion to disguise anti-North Korea espionage activities, the North's statement alleged. It said the investigation was intensifying, but did not elaborate further.The initial investigation found that the South Korean spent six years in a country bordering North Korea using religion to disguise anti-North Korea espionage activities, the North's statement alleged. It said the investigation was intensifying, but did not elaborate further.
Many South Korean missionaries work with North Korean defectors and border crossers in China. North Korea officially recognises freedom of religion, but it tolerates only sanctioned churches, and activists and defectors call it one of the world's worst places in which to practise a faith. Many South Korean missionaries work with North Korean defectors in China. North Korea officially recognises freedom of religion, but it tolerates only sanctioned churches, and activists and defectors call it one of the world's worst places in which to practise a faith.
An official with South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said the North was making "a ridiculous argument. It's groundless."An official with South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said the North was making "a ridiculous argument. It's groundless."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.