Vienna is considered a stronghold for spies: not only agents from Russia are active, North Korea also has a hotspot in the Danube metropolis. A defector reported in an interview with ‘Krone’ about one of the treacherous tricks of the totalitarian regime: ‘Spies are smuggled abroad via the martial art of Taekwondo and foreign currency and luxury goods are obtained.’
It sounds like something out of a spy movie: martial arts masters pretending to run a regular sports club in order to spy abroad and make smuggling deals – all to finance a dictator’s luxurious lifestyle and his deadly weapons of mass destruction. But that’s exactly what coaches from the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) have proven time and time again.
This shady association with around 35 million members, active in more than 100 countries, surprisingly has its headquarters in the 21st district of Vienna. North Korean defector Jihyun Park explains in an interview with the ‘Krone’ how the system works.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
