
AI-generated summary
North Korean hacker Bae Yong-joo was sent to China to carry out cryptocurrency theft and South Korean government website hacking tasks. He later tried to defect to Inner Mongolia and was arrested by the Chinese authorities.
North Korean hackers tried to defect in China, but were arrested by the Chinese and handed over to the North Korean Embassy in China for torture. He was subsequently repatriated and died. Diagram of the flag of the North Korean Embassy in China. (AFP)
The "Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG)", a human rights organization headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, released an investigation report on the 28th, pointing out that North Korean hacker Bae Yong-ju (배용주, transliteration) tried to defect after being sent to China, but was arrested by the Chinese and transferred to the North Korean Embassy in China for torture. He was later repatriated and died.
According to the Chosun Ilbo report, TJWG stated that Bae Yongzhu was born in Pyongyang and graduated from Ma Dongxi Military University, which specializes in training spies to deal with South Korea. He was sent to China to steal cryptocurrency and hack into the websites of South Korean government agencies. However, he was arrested by Chinese law enforcement agencies when he tried to defect from Inner Mongolia.
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TJWG revealed that after the Chinese interrogated Bae Yong-ju for six months, he was handed over to the North Korean Consulate General in Shenyang, and then he was taken to a secret dungeon in the basement of the North Korean Embassy in Beijing, where he was tortured for about a year.
TJWG pointed out that after the route from Pyongyang to Beijing that was interrupted due to the Wuhan epidemic was resumed in August 2023, North Korea arranged for Bae Yong-ju to take a direct flight from Beijing to Pyongyang. During the process, Bae Yong-ju was put in a plaster all over his body to prevent him from moving, calling for help, and escaping.
TJWG stated that as long as Bae Yongzhu has the possibility of defecting, they will keep the case concealed. However, they recently confirmed through informants that Bae Yongzhu was dead, so they decided to publish his experience.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The international community will put pressure on China's role in the case and demand an investigation into whether it violates international non-refoulement principles.
Likely · Within weeks
North Korea may strengthen monitoring of its hacker team and measures to prevent defections.
Possible · Within months

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