Four Suspects in the 'Changwon Spy Ring Case' Denied Detention Review

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Four suspects in the 'Changwon Spy Group Case,' accused of anti-government activities in a dissident organization, requested a reconsideration of their detention, but the court did not accept it.

A member of the Gyeongnam Progressive Alliance, suspected of contacting North Korean officials in Southeast Asian countries to receive instructions and carry out activities, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 31st of last month for a warrant hearing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 16th, the Criminal Appeals Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Park Nosu) dismissed the detention review petition filed by A and three others belonging to the Jajutongil Minjung Jeonwi. The request for a constitutional review petition submitted during the detention review stage was also dismissed.

The court had issued arrest warrants for them on the 1st, citing concerns over evidence destruction and flight risk, but they filed for a detention review.

They are suspected of engaging in anti-government activities within the Jajutongil Minjung Jeonwi, an organization formed around 2016 centered in Changwon, Gyeongnam. In particular, it is reported that they contacted North Korea-related figures in Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia and received orders.

In November last year, the National Intelligence Service and the police conducted searches of their residences and offices and arrested them on the 28th of last month. They initially claimed the arrest was unjust and filed a detention review with the Seoul Central District Court. At that time, the court also ruled that maintaining the arrest was appropriate and dismissed their petition.

The National Intelligence Service and police plan to transfer the case to the Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Heedong) as early as the 17th. The prosecution is expected to conduct additional investigations after receiving the case and indict them next month.