China arrests DPRK’s spy

Chinese authorities arrested aDPRK’s spy in the border city of Dandong early this month and confiscated 30 million yuan and gold bars, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported Sunday.

A government official here said Sunday, "We've been aware since last week that a high-ranking North Korean had been arrested in Dandong. The fact that he was caught with a sizeable amount of cash and gold means he was probably affiliated with either the military or Workers Party."

The arrest came just a few days after Ri Su-yong, the vice chairman of the Workers Party, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 2.

The Yomiuri said that since Ri told Xi thatDPRKwill continue its nuclear weapons program "permanently," the arrest probably aimed to add pressure on the North to scrap it.

After raiding the spy's home and arresting him, Chinese authorities notified the North Korean Embassy in Beijing. The spy had apparently lived in Dandong for many years, and was referred to by North Korean traders as a "representative" or "chief executive" and was involved in smuggling products banned by the UN.

(THE CHOSUNLIBO)