S.Korean Military Intelligence Official Referred to Prosecution for Alleged Espionage

A military intelligence official has been referred to the prosecution for allegedly leaking information about South Korean espionage agents operating overseas, the defense ministry announced on Thursday.

The official, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested last week for allegedly providing personal information of "black agents" (undercover intelligence officials) to a Chinese national of Korean descent, suspected of being an informant for North Korea's intelligence agency.

The official denied the allegations, claiming their laptop was hacked, but the Defense Counterintelligence Command rejected this claim. The intelligence command became aware of the alleged leak in June, after being informed by a related intelligence agency.

The case has raised concerns about the potential exposure of agents' identities, prompting some to return home. The prosecution will now investigate whether espionage charges can be applied, which are only valid for those who have leaked intelligence to North Korea.