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North Korean politician purged in connection to graft, says source

Investigations into Won Dong Yon began after the arrest of a Korean Canadian pastor in January.

By Elizabeth Shim
Won Dong Yon, center, crossing into South Korea through Panmunjom on Feb. 12, 2014. Won was last seen in public on Dec. 16 and may have been purged in connection to a bribery scandal. File Photo by Yonhap
Won Dong Yon, center, crossing into South Korea through Panmunjom on Feb. 12, 2014. Won was last seen in public on Dec. 16 and may have been purged in connection to a bribery scandal. File Photo by Yonhap

SEOUL, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- An influential North Korean politician who disappeared more than eight months ago may have been purged in connection to a bribery scandal that was brought to light after the arrest of Korean Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim.

A source on North Korea affairs told Radio Free Asia that Pyongyang's National Security Agency launched an investigation into the leaders of the United Front Department of the Korean Workers' Party based on Lim's testimony, South Korean outlet Newsis reported.

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The department is responsible for South Korea affairs and dealing with pro-Pyongyang organizations in Japan and other countries, South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported.

Won Dong Yon, the purged deputy head of the United Front, was last seen in December in Kaesong, North Korea. According to RFA's source, both Won and his supervisor Kim Yang Gon were subjected to a month-long investigation for receiving money from "overseas Korean compatriots."

Kim recently represented Pyongyang at the high-level talks that defused tensions at the border, and the veteran politician managed to avoid a purge but his subordinate was not as fortunate, according to the source.

Investigations into the United Front began after Pastor Lim was arrested in January, and the source said Lim "did not hold back in his confessions" before state investigators.

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While the source did not provide details of Lim's testimonial, based on Lim's account North Korea's security apparatus found sufficient cause to launch a full investigation into the department that deals with overseas Koreans who travel to Pyongyang.

Won is believed to have resigned from all positions in government and may currently be receiving ideological reeducation at a farm near Pyongyang, the source said.

Won's absence during former South Korean First Lady Lee Hee-ho's recent visit to North Korea had prompted Seoul officials to consider the possibility that Pyongyang's No. 2 man on South Korea affairs may have been purged.

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