Another North Korean spy ring has been broken up in South Korea and it appears that it has links to both politicians and academics as well:

Korea’s prosecution said Friday that it detained five South Koreans on charges of spying for North Korea by forming an underground anti-state organization.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said five locals were imprisoned on suspicions of violating the country’s national security law as they allegedly set up an anti-state organization, ordered by North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.

A 48-year-old chief executive at a tech firm, known by his surname Kim, was suspected of spearheading the anti-state group after being won over by North Korean agents, according to the prosecution.

Kim is suspected of collecting and delivering information about South Korea for several years to the North and contacting spies residing in Japan or other North Korean senior agents when he stayed in foreign countries. Kim is denying the charges, the prosecution added.

Sources said the South’s intelligence authorities are investigating several figures in the academic and political circles on suspicions of espionage. The probe could have significant repercussions as former or incumbent political figures in opposition parties are said to be on the list. [Korea Times]

It will be interesting to see whether this turns into another Ilshimhoe Spy Scandal or not.  ROK Heads may remember that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was used by former President Roh to cover up the extent of the Ilshimhoe Spy Scandal because it is believed that the reach of the North Korean spies extended all the way into the Blue House. Lee Myung-bak since his election has been working to reform the NIS to go after North Korean spies.  It appears they doing just that with these recent arrests.