DATE=7/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235469
TITLE=KOREA / INFILTRATOR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO:  THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT IS DEMANDING AN APOLOGY FROM 
COMMUNIST NORTH KOREA FOR RECENT SPY MISSIONS AIMED AT THE SOUTH.
THIS, AS SOUTH KOREAN SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE  SEARCHING FOR TWO
INFILTRATORS BELIEVED TO BE STILL AT LARGE.  JOHN LARKIN HAS MORE
FROM SEOUL.

TEXT:  PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG CONVENED HIS NATIONAL SECURITY 
COUNCIL WEDNESDAY AS A MANHUNT CONTINUED ON THE EAST COAST, AIMED
AT TRACKING DOWN TWO MEN -- BELIEVED TO BE COMMUNIST INFILTRATORS
-- IN THE AREA.

AFTER A 90-MINUTE MEETING, THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT 
DEMANDING THE NORTH PUT AN END TO ALL HOSTILE ACTS, APOLOGIZE AND
PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INFILTRATIONS.

DESPITE THIS STERN MESSAGE, PRESIDENT KIM SAYS HE IS  NOT  
SCRAPPING HIS POLICY OF SEEKING CLOSER TIES WITH PYONGYANG.

THE HUNT FOR INFILTRATORS WAS STEPPED UP AFTER A SOUTH KOREAN 
VILLAGER REPORTED SIGHTING TWO MEN WEARING CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS 
AND CARRYING BACKPACKS.  A DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE 
SIGHTING IS BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY, BUT NO TRACE OF THE TWO AGENTS
HAS YET BEEN FOUND. 

THOUSANDS OF TROOPS HAVE BEEN SCOURING RUGGED MOUNTAINS NEAR THE 
NORTH KOREAN BORDER, AFTER A THE BODY OF A MAN BELIEVED TO BE A 
THIRD MEMBER OF THE SPY TEAM WASHED ASHORE SUNDAY AT THE EASTERN 
PORT OF DONGHAE. 

AN UNDERWATER PROPULSION  DEVICE CAPABLE OF CARRYING UP TO FIVE 
MEN WAS FOUND NEARBY, INDICATING OTHER INFILTRATORS MAY HAVE MADE
IT TO SHORE. 

THE LATEST SPY SCARE COMES LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AFTER A NORTH 
KOREAN SUBMARINE WAS CAPTURED ON WHAT AUTHORITIES IN SEOUL SAY 
WAS AN INFILTRATION MISSION.

NORTH KOREA SAYS IT HAS  NOTHING  TO DO WITH THE SPY TEAM NOW 
BEING HUNTED IN THE SOUTH -- A STANCE THAT HAS ANGERED OFFICIALS 
IN SEOUL.  THE SOUTH IS ASKING THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO 
CONDEMN THE RECENT INCURSIONS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/JL/FC/WTW

15-Jul-98 3:37 AM EDT (0737 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.