A South Korean missionary arrested on spying allegations in Russia

A South Korean missionary arrested in Russia on charges of espionage has been confirmed to be Mr. Baik, who is affiliated with the Vladivostok branch of a South Korean Christian aid group that supports the needy and spreads the gospel.

The Russian state news agency TASS reported that the South Korean missionary was detained at the beginning of 2024 under the suspicion that he leaked state secrets to foreign intelligence services. 

The Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation, the Christian relief agency headquartered in South Korea, explained that Baek was their only missionary stationed in Vladivostok. The organization explained that Baek's role was to provide clothes, medicine, and necessities to the needy while working to spread the Christian gospel to them.

 It was also reported that Mr. Baek assisted North Korean workers and defectors in Russia to help them settle in other countries, which are activities that are sensitive to both Russia and North Korea. However, the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation stated that they could not confirm the reports.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, South Korean missionaries helping North Korean workers in Russia faced minimal interference.  However, since the invasion, Russia has tightened its grip on such activities, even deporting some missionaries, according to Cho Han Bum, an analyst at Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification.

As a vital ally of the United States in Asia, South Korea has supported international sanctions against Russia and provided humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine, although it has not supplied weapons. Reports suggest that Russia has labeled South Korea as an "unfriendly" nation.

Cho believes that Russia's announcement of the missionary's arrest is a move to pressure South Korea. He suggests that there is a possibility of missionary Baek's release, as Russia is unlikely to completely sever ties with South Korea.