Undercover N. Korean agent commits suicide: NIS

A North Korean agent disguised as a defector committed suicide two weeks ago after his motive to come to South Korea was uncovered, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced Tuesday

According to the NIS, a North Korean in his 30s was found dead in an apparent suicide in the shower room of an investigation center in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, on Dec. 13.

During questioning, the NIS found out that he was dispatched from North Korea on a mission to locate a religious organization that supports North Korean defectors.

His family in the North was taken as hostage and he was ordered to commit suicide if he was caught, sources at the NIS said.

An autopsy conducted by the National Forensic Service on Dec. 14 concluded that the man killed himself, the intelligence agency said in a press release.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr