The detention of a South Korean national by Russian authorities on espionage allegations has emerged as a significant diplomatic challenge for Seoul, particularly against the backdrop of strained relations between the two nations.
Observers suggest that the detainee could be caught up in Russia’s hostage diplomacy tactics, and anticipate that the situation could drag on for months, if not years. Moreover, this incident could signal a shift in Russia’s stance toward North Korean defectors, particularly considering the detainee’s purported involvement in assisting North Korean workers in the far eastern region of Russia.
Earlier this week, the Russian state-owned media outlet TASS agency reported that a South Korean man named Baek Kwang-soon, aged 53, was apprehended in January on charges of espionage in Vladivostok. He was subsequently transferred to Moscow’s Lefortovo detention facility in February, typically reserved for high-profile political detainees. The Lefortovsky Court has extended his detention until June 15.
This marks the first known case of a South Korean national being arrested on espionage charges in Russia, where such offenses carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Baek is believed to be associated with a Seoul-based Protestant charity that provides humanitarian aid through missionary work. He served as the head of the organization’s Vladivostok branch, primarily involved in aiding North Korean workers in the region.
“The Russian Federal Security Service has long been skeptical about South Korean missionaries, not only because of their religious activities but also due to speculation that there may be government spies among them,” Jeong Jae-won, a professor of Eurasian studies at Kookmin University, told The Korea Times.
“While much remains unknown about the case or whether he really engaged in illegal activities, Russia’s decision to reveal this incident to the public suggests that it may leverage it to influence relations with South Korea,” he added.
The relationship between the two nations has been strained in recent years, mainly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Seoul decided to support Kyiv by providing non-lethal, humanitarian aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in December that the return to a partnership level of cooperation between South Korea and Russia depends on Seoul, according to TASS.
Tourists walk by St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, Jan. 20. TASS-Yonhap
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs is maintaining a low-key response, sharing little to no information about the case with the news media, while emphasizing close communication with Russian authorities.
However, critics say that the extensive coverage of Baek’s case by TASS could undermine the foreign ministry’s efforts to address the situation discreetly through diplomatic channels.
According to the media outlet, citing law enforcement officials, Baek is accused of masquerading as a writer to gather classified information and subsequently passing it on to undisclosed foreign intelligence agencies. The report also provided details about Baek’s family and his occupation as the owner of a tour company in Vladivostok.
“Every move by the Russian government is carefully calculated. I would be prudent about linking the case directly with the current tense bilateral relations, but the timing of the arrest is worrisome,” a former South Korean envoy to Russia said, requesting anonymity.
From another perspective, Baek’s arrest could signal a shift in Moscow’s stance toward North Korean defectors. Russia’s position toward North Korean refugees has been relatively lenient compared to China, which forcibly repatriates them to Pyongyang.
“South Korean missionaries in Russia provide North Korean escapees with shelter and assistance in filing their refugee applications with the U.N. refugee agency in Moscow. This practice has been common as the Russian government does not typically crack down on it,” said a former diplomat who served in Russia for over a decade.
However, as Moscow strengthens relations with Pyongyang while ties with Seoul are strained, Baek’s arrest seemingly demonstrates Russia’s toughened stance on North Korean defectors, he added.
“This case suggests that Russian authorities may be adopting a less tolerant stance towards South Korean missionaries who aid North Korean workers in escaping, as well as the perceived indirect involvement of the South Korean Embassy in facilitating their escape.”
National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin said later on Thursday that crucial communication with Russia is continuing in order to offer consular assistance for Baek.
“There was communication between the authorities of South Korea and Russia before the case was made public,” Chang said in a radio interview. “We will continue to explore avenues for providing effective consular protection by closely monitoring the progress of Russia’s investigation.”
South Korean Ambassador to Moscow Lee Do-hoon met with Russia’s Vice Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Wednesday, and requested active cooperation to ensure Baek’s safety and the protection of his rights.
Hours after their meeting, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a press briefing that the authorities are reviewing granting the detainee consular access.
While she remained tight-lipped about developments in the investigation, she commented that this case does not help improve strained bilateral ties.
“As for the impact on bilateral relations, unfortunately, we have recently seen a lot of things from Seoul that can indeed be qualified as actions that go against the interests of the peoples of the two countries, and to put it mildly, do not contribute to the development of bilateral relations,” Zakharova said.
