Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP), has called for broadening espionage laws to make it illegal to spy for any foreign country, a sharp contrast from the ROK’s current legislation that only specifies North Korea.

Under current South Korean law, espionage is only illegal if it poses a threat to national security and specifically benefits North Korea. Consequently, actions carried out by or on behalf of other countries fall outside the scope of prosecution.