Sex-for-secrets "spy" appears in court

by Sanjay Jha | September 10, 2008 at 02:23 am

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As both Korea try to mend their relationships a spy case has surfaced and this will create tension between both Koreas. 34 year old Won Jeong-hwa has been accused of sleeping with several South Korean officers and receiving classified information from them on items such as weapons systems and troop movements and later passing them on to the North Korea. How ever North Korea has denied any connection with her and instead lambasted her for leaving the country.

A North Korean woman accused of obtaining state secrets from South Korean military officers for sexual favours appeared in court on Wednesday in handcuffs and wearing a baseball hat and surgical mask. Won Jeong-hwa, 34, arrested last month on suspicion of posing as a defector and spying for North Korea, could face up to life in prison if convicted. The sex-for-secrets case has deeply embarrassed the country's military and sparked a media storm for its sensational details.

About 14,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the 1950-1953 Korean War, with most of them coming in the past 10 years. Spy cases were commonplace for several decades after the war but have become rare in recent years.

Won did not speak to reporters and gazed downward during a hearing mostly devoted to procedural matters such as submitting evidence and written statements from witnesses.

When asked by the court if she was aware of the contents of the indictment, she answered "yes" in a barely audible voice.

Prosecutors have said Won is hardly the meek woman who appeared in court.

They submitted pictures of her showing scars she received in commando training in the North and previously told local media Pyongyang wanted to use her as an assassin.

Won's lawyers did not speak with reporters at court.