Seok, a former head of the organization and struggle bureau from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), had his sentence of 9 years and 6 months in prison finalized by the Supreme Court on charges of espionage for acting under North Korean orders.
On the 25th, the Supreme Court's Second Division (presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi) held a sentencing hearing on the final appeal of Seok, who was indicted on charges of violating the National Security Act, and affirmed the lower court's judgment.
Prosecutors say Seok received orders from North Korea or drafted and sent reports a total of 102 times from October 2018 to December 2022. He is also accused of meeting North Korean agents overseas, including in China and Vietnam.
According to prosecutors, Seok created a secret organization within the KCTU and was called a "branch manager." Seok is said to have received North Korean orders in 2018 and handed over an ID and password that could access the KCTU's internal network.
In 2020, he reportedly reported on the inclinations and movements of candidates who ran in the KCTU chairperson election. Right after the general election held that year, he was found to have passed the mobile phone numbers of all members of the National Assembly to North Korean agents. He also reportedly delivered to the North photos he took of military facilities, including the U.S. base in Pyeongtaek and the Air Force base in Osan.
It was also investigated that around the KCTU general strike, the 2022 presidential election, and the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush, North Korea sent Seok orders such as "heighten anti-U.S. and anti-Japan struggle sentiment," "spread anti-conservative sentiment," and "Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation."
In the first trial, the court found most of Seok's charges guilty and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. However, the appeals court reduced the sentence to 9 years and 6 months. While acknowledging Seok's espionage charges, the appellate court said, "It is hard to conclude that the secret organization actually existed."
The Supreme Court found the appellate court's decision to be correct that day.