North Korea, Taekwondo Supimo, which cannot kicks Austria

It is easy to miss the headquarters of the Taekwoon-International Federation (ITF), which is run by North Korea from a humble house on the outskirts of Vienna, a city with a long reputation as a nest of spies.

The oldest martial arts bodies, claiming that more than 100,000 members are in “at least 100 countries”.

However, the documents of the court that were seen by AFP that Austria for four years is trying to expel Ri Yong Sun, who is suspected of breaking United Nations sanctions by converting foreign currency into Pyongyang.

In a rare interview, an ITF official denied “committing any violations”, and told Agence France -Presse that the body “was not in contact with the North Korean state.”

Vienna – the home of many international organizations, including the Atomic Energy Agency, which has been prevented from examining the North Korean arsenal – has been trying to cancel the RI work permit since March 2020, claiming that it “may harm the reputation of Austria.”

But the judges were not convinced that Ri was involved in hidden financing, according to the court’s decision issued by July by Agence France -Presse, he heard that he is winning 5,256 euros, relatively modest ($ 5,702) per month.

The ITF official, who spoke to Agence France -Presse at the Vienna Café, provided that his identity is not disclosed, that “there is no bias for United Nations sanctions.” He said it simply organized competitions and sent the Tikondo Master’s degrees to teachers who follow North Korea’s style.

– “The agents” –

But the dissident Jehyun Park – who speaks against Pyongyang after escaping from the United Kingdom – said ITF, “It is not sporting.”

“He, his wife and son are agents,” she told AFP.

Austria did not give a visa to another North Korea that was to join the Vienna office while Ri remains in Vienna, according to ITF.

The Federation was founded in 1966 by General Korea Choi Hong Hee, who later defected to the north. However, it was not recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which instead chose its competitor in South Korea, the Taekwondo competition (WT).

Park said it was “urgent” to force Austria to ITF to go out when North Korea deepens its cooperation with Moscow.

Pyongyang sends thousands of forces to fight Kiev, according to Western intelligence agencies, under a defensive agreement between the two countries that entered into force in December, in addition to providing Moscow with ammunition.

Passports printing –

North Korea is an “important” country with an interest in Austrian intelligence services, according to its president, Omar Haijawi Persor.

But espionage specialist, Siegfrid Bir, warned that a neutral European Union member in nine million people “has no way to seriously investigate confidential activities.

“Employees and experiences lack, not to mention linguistic skills,” Bir said, even at a time when Austria hosts a large number of international organizations – with jobs that provide diplomatic immunity and a possible spy cover.

North Korea has always been deep Austrian links.

In 2010, a former Pyongyang diplomat in Vienna, Kim Jong Raiol, revealed that he bought luxury weapons and goods from all over Europe for dictators in North Korea for 20 years without investigating before Austria decreased in 1994.

Kim Kwang Sop, North Korean founder Kim Il Song, was an ambassador to Austria for 27 years until 2020. North Korea was printed its passports in the country of the Alps, according to local media.

BG/JZA/FG/LB