DATE=7/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235350
TITLE=N. KOREA / SPY (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOUTH KOREAN SOLDIERS ARE COMBING THE COUNTRY'S EAST COAST
FOR NORTH KOREAN SPIES FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF A DEAD
INFILTRATOR ON SUNDAY. JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL, THE
INCIDENT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE SOUTH TO ADOPT A TOUGHER
POSTURE TOWARD ITS COMMUNIST NEIGHBOR.
TEXT : SOUTH KOREAN SECURITY OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED AN EMERGENCY
MEETING TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE COUNTER-MEASURES TO THE NORTH'S
LATEST INFILTRATION INTO SOUTHERN TERRITORY.
TROOPS HAVE BEEN COMBING THE HEAVILY-WOODED MOUNTAINS OF THE EAST
COAST SINCE SUNRISE (MONDAY), HUNTING UP TO FOUR SPIES THE
DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS COULD BE ON THE LOOSE.
MILITARY SCUBA DIVERS ARE TO BEGIN AN UNDERWATER SEARCH FOR MORE
BODIES, AND A POSSIBLE MOTHER-CRAFT USED BY THE SPIES TO INTRUDE
INTO SOUTHERN WATERS.
THE DEFENSE MINISTRY BELIEVES IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THE DEAD
SOLDIER WAS NOT ACTING ALONE, AS A PROPULSION CRAFT FOUND NEAR
HIS BODY WAS CAPABLE OF CARRYING UP TO FIVE PEOPLE.
IT HAS CONCLUDED THE DEAD COMMUNIST COMMANDO, FOUND WEARING A
WET-SUIT AND CARRYING A MACHINE-GUN, BAYONET AND A HAND GRENADE,
WAS ON A FRESH SPY MISSION -- THE SECOND UNCOVERED IN LESS THAN
THREE WEEKS.
THE DEFENSE MINISTRY IS DEMANDING THAT THE NORTH IMMEDIATELY
CEASE WHAT IT CALLS ACTS OF USELESS AGGRESSION, WARNING IT WILL
NOT TOLERATE FURTHER INCURSIONS.
THE NORTH KOREAN INFILTRATOR'S BODY WAS FOUND WASHED ASHORE AT
THE PORT OF DONGHAE, NEAR WHERE A COMMUNIST SUB WAS CAPTURED
THREE WEEKS AGO AFTER GETTING TANGLED IN FISHING NETS. ITS
NINE-MEMBER CREW WAS FOUND DEAD INSIDE.
MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CERTAIN THE DEAD SOLDIER WAS NOT
FROM THAT SUB, SINCE AN EXAMINATION OF THE BODY INDICATED HE HAD
BEEN DEAD FOR LESS THAN 48 HOURS.
THE INCIDENT HAS PUT PRESSURE ON SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT KIM
DAE-JUNG TO TAKE A TOUGHER STANCE AGAINST THE NORTH -- IN
CONTRAST TO A CONCILIATORY POLICY HE HAS PURSUED SINCE TAKING
OFFICE IN FEBRUARY, STRESSING CULTURAL AND BUSINESS EXCHANGES.
ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT KIM HAS REFUSED TO SCRAP HIS SO-CALLED
SUNSHINE POLICY, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REPORTEDLY ARE NOW SAYING
SOME FOOD AID AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH THE FAMINE-STRICKEN
NORTH LIKELY WILL BE DELAYED. (SIGNED)
NEB/JL/GC/WTW
13-Jul-98 1:48 AM EDT (0548 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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