(LEAD) Intelligence agency arrests man on espionage charges

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SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's spy agency told the National Assembly's intelligence committee that it arrested a man on espionage charges in May for sending information on domestic affairs to Pyongyang, political sources said Saturday.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed camera footage of the suspect's arrest at a PC cafe located in northern Seoul to the committee to show the legitimacy of the apprehension, the sources said.

The suspect is a pastor who impersonated a human rights activist seeking to help North Korean defectors, a source with knowledge of the matter said. He pretended to have a conservative political stance.

The suspect allegedly sent reports on South Korea's key affairs to North Korea multiple times. The committee did not provide further details.

The NIS added it has also arrested another man in Ansan, south of Seoul, on similar charges recently.

colin@yna.co.kr
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