According to local media reports, a 38-year-old South Korean cryptocurrency exchange CEO accused of spying for North Korea. The name of the cryptocurrency exchange in question was not specified.
Cryptocurrency Exchange CEO Admits To Spy For $549,000
The CEO, surnamed Lee, allegedly met with a North Korean agent last July and agreed to a deal for 700 million Korean Won ($549,000) in exchange for sensitive military information pertaining to South Korea.
Allegedly, Lee sent 48 million won ($37,643) worth of cryptocurrencies to a soldier in the South Korean army so that he could access the secret military network.
It was claimed that the CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange gave the military official a wrist watch with a hidden camera, and thus obtained intelligence from the section where the soldier was.
Both defendants are charged with violating South Korean security law. The law in question was created in 1948 against the North Korean threat.
It was learned that the military official who agreed with the CEO also contacted the North Korean agent on his own.
South Koreans Are Forbidden To Meet With North Koreans Without Their Permission
Under South Korean law, citizens cannot visit North Korea and cannot meet with North Korean citizens without government approval.
It is also prohibited in the country to praise North Korea and spread propaganda. In 2012, a South Korean photographer was arrested but later acquitted after retweeting pro-Kim Jong II tweets.
However, according to local media information, the North Korean agent in question has still not been caught. According to police, the agent met the CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange six years ago in an online crypto community.
*Not investment advice.