DATE=7/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235469
TITLE=KOREA / INFILTRATOR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT IS DEMANDING AN APOLOGY FROM
COMMUNIST NORTH KOREA FOR RECENT SPY MISSIONS AIMED AT THE SOUTH.
THIS, AS SOUTH KOREAN SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR TWO
INFILTRATORS BELIEVED TO BE STILL AT LARGE. JOHN LARKIN HAS MORE
FROM SEOUL.
TEXT: PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG CONVENED HIS NATIONAL SECURITY
COUNCIL WEDNESDAY AS A MANHUNT CONTINUED ON THE EAST COAST, AIMED
AT TRACKING DOWN TWO MEN -- BELIEVED TO BE COMMUNIST INFILTRATORS
-- IN THE AREA.
AFTER A 90-MINUTE MEETING, THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT
DEMANDING THE NORTH PUT AN END TO ALL HOSTILE ACTS, APOLOGIZE AND
PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INFILTRATIONS.
DESPITE THIS STERN MESSAGE, PRESIDENT KIM SAYS HE IS NOT
SCRAPPING HIS POLICY OF SEEKING CLOSER TIES WITH PYONGYANG.
THE HUNT FOR INFILTRATORS WAS STEPPED UP AFTER A SOUTH KOREAN
VILLAGER REPORTED SIGHTING TWO MEN WEARING CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS
AND CARRYING BACKPACKS. A DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE
SIGHTING IS BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY, BUT NO TRACE OF THE TWO AGENTS
HAS YET BEEN FOUND.
THOUSANDS OF TROOPS HAVE BEEN SCOURING RUGGED MOUNTAINS NEAR THE
NORTH KOREAN BORDER, AFTER A THE BODY OF A MAN BELIEVED TO BE A
THIRD MEMBER OF THE SPY TEAM WASHED ASHORE SUNDAY AT THE EASTERN
PORT OF DONGHAE.
AN UNDERWATER PROPULSION DEVICE CAPABLE OF CARRYING UP TO FIVE
MEN WAS FOUND NEARBY, INDICATING OTHER INFILTRATORS MAY HAVE MADE
IT TO SHORE.
THE LATEST SPY SCARE COMES LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AFTER A NORTH
KOREAN SUBMARINE WAS CAPTURED ON WHAT AUTHORITIES IN SEOUL SAY
WAS AN INFILTRATION MISSION.
NORTH KOREA SAYS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPY TEAM NOW
BEING HUNTED IN THE SOUTH -- A STANCE THAT HAS ANGERED OFFICIALS
IN SEOUL. THE SOUTH IS ASKING THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO
CONDEMN THE RECENT INCURSIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JL/FC/WTW
15-Jul-98 3:37 AM EDT (0737 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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