▲ Pyongyang citizens ⓒ Yonhap News

The Xinhua, a Chinese news agency, reported on the 5th that the National Security Agency (NSA) of North Korea arrested a number foreign spies and North Korean citizens on suspicion of espionage.

The NSA held a press conference and announced that it had arrested foreign alleged spies and native citizens working for a foreign intelligence service, according to the Xinhua.

It is unprecedented that the North Korean authorities revealed the espionage issue publicly; even more surprising is the fact that authorities released this information to the foreign media. Therefore, the underlying reasons for these actions are under speculation.

The spokesperson, Li Su Gil claimed that the foreign spies had collected North Korean official documents and information on important military facilities and had spread the idea of democracy and freedom to the people. Additionally, Li proclaimed they would be brought to justice under North Korean law.

However, the NSA did not reveal further details on the alleged spies such as the number of suspects, their nationalities, when, where or how they were arrested.

According to Xinhua, Li said they had performed their tasks using advanced technology such as digital cameras, pinhole cameras, GPS, even a fake rock containing a satellite communications device, a bug in a flowerpot and other devices of espionage. The NSA showed footage which captured the rigging of these devices at the press conference.

Spokesperson Li stated that the situation of the Korean Peninsula seems to be easing up on the surface, but in fact hostile forces are intensifying their espionage against North Korea.

He added that “The goal of hostile forces is to instigate psychological warfare against North Korea and overthrow socialism and the regime in our country. The people and the security service will remain on high alert."

So far, the North Korean authorities have been communicating the “espionage issue by the American imperialists” to the people through public lectures, but have yet to release information regarding the NSA’s formal announcement to Rodong Shinmun, North Korea’s state-controlled newspaper.

Therefore, there is much speculation as to the nature of the NSA’s sudden announcement to the foreign media regarding this espionage issue.