South Korean national Baek Won-soon has been detained in Russia on charges of spying, becoming the latest foreign national to face imprisonment in the country. According to Russian state-run TASS news agency, Baek was initially detained in Vladivostok at the beginning of this year and was later transferred to Moscow for investigative actions. His case has been classified as “top secret,” and he is currently being held in Lefortovo Prison, where a court recently extended his detention until June 15.
Authorities have accused Baek of passing on information deemed as state secrets to foreign intelligence services, although no further details have been disclosed. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that its consulate has been providing assistance to Baek since his detention, but due to the ongoing investigation, they have refrained from sharing additional information.
Baek, reportedly a missionary involved in rescuing North Korean defectors and providing humanitarian aid, was detained shortly after his arrival in Vladivostok from China in January. This incident marks the first time a South Korean national has been detained in Russia on spying charges.
It is worth noting that Russia labeled South Korea as an “unfriendly” country in 2022 due to its support for Western sanctions against Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Russia has strengthened its ties with North Korea, with leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia in September 2022 to meet President Vladimir Putin. The United States and other nations have accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, allegedly in exchange for technological know-how to enhance Pyongyang’s military modernization program. Both countries have denied these allegations.
Over the past year, Russia has detained several foreign nationals on various charges. US journalist Evan Gershkovich, held at Lefortovo prison, is facing allegations of espionage, while Russian-US journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was detained for failing to register as a foreign agent and charged with spreading false information about the Russian military.
Espionage carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years in Russia. Both Gershkovich and Kurmasheva have denied the charges against them. Lefortovo prison is known for its harsh conditions and near-total isolation of detainees.