South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed that it is responding to intelligence regarding potential terrorist activities by North Korea against South Korean embassy officials and citizens abroad.
On the 2nd, the NIS stated, “Recently, as we have obtained numerous signs that North Korea is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks against our diplomatic personnel and citizens in various countries, including China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, we have provided support to the relevant agencies.” They further disclosed, “North Korea has dispatched agents to these countries to expand surveillance of South Korean embassies and to actively search for South Korean citizens who could be targeted for terrorism.”
They added, “Since the second half of last year after the COVID-19 pandemic ended, there have been numerous defections of long-term overseas dispatchers. This includes embassy officials, trade workers, and students who have become disillusioned with the North Korean regime. In the midst of this, North Korean embassy officials abroad and personnel of special agencies such as the Ministry of State Security, who are responsible for managing and monitoring these dispatched North Koreans, are believed to be avoiding responsibility for voluntary defection accidents by falsely reporting to Kim Jong Un and praying for retaliation against our embassy officials.”
Furthermore, they stated, “The NIS will strengthen its intelligence activities with the possibility of terrorism in mind, not only in countries where signs of North Korea’s terrorist threats have been detected but also in other regions. And we will closely cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to do our best for the safety of our citizens.”
Most Commented