A South Korean man who lives in New York was arrested on Wednesday and charged with repeatedly lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about spying work he allegedly did for his native country, prosecutors said on Thursday.Park Il Woo, known as Steve Park, was accused in court papers of giving information he had gleaned from the North Korean government to South Korea. At one point, he allegedly told a South Korean official that he had been asked by North Korean officials to bring insecticide, anesthetics and veterinary products on this next trip there.
Mr Park, who has lived in the US for 20 years, was not charged with espionage or any form of spying. Instead he faces three counts of lying to the FBI about his contacts with South Korean officials. If convicted he could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
| Mr Park told him that he could act as a “go-between” between the US and North Korea because he frequently traveled there. |
William Smith, the FBI agent, also wrote that Mr Park told him that he could act as a “go-between” between the US and North Korea because he frequently traveled there.
It could not be determined who is representing Mr Park. He was released on a $150,000 personal recognisance bond.