At 7AM this morning, prosecutors and agents from the National Security Agency raided six offices and private homes linked to an NGO, ‘Solidarity for the Peace and Reunification of Korea’. Members of the group are accused of violating South Korea’s National Security Law.

The inter-agency investigation team raided the home of Baek Chang Wook, the organization’s Daegu regional head, its office in Bucheon, west of Seoul, the homes of Joo Jeong Sook and Shin Jeong Gil, its Bucheon joint representatives, its office in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, and the home of Kim Pan Tae, the head of the same office.

The investigation team secured a number of computer hard disks and other documents in the raids, and is expected to summon the individuals for questioning following analysis of the contents.

They are accused of violating the National Security Law by publishing the text of North Korea’s annual New Year’s Joint Editorial and other statements by North Korean spokespersons etc online.

The group is no stranger to controversy. In February this year its offices in central Seoul, another in Incheon and the home of another official were also raided.

The group was founded in 1994. Its positions include calling for an end to combined U.S.-ROK military exercises and cuts to the South Korean military budget. It also backed the North Korean official assertion that its missile launches represent the peaceful sovereign use of space.