Yoo Tae-Joon Stayed with His Wife in N.K.

The joint investigation team of related authorities, which consisted of the National Intelligence Service and the Police, started its thorough re-ascertainment process yesterday to investigate Yoo Tae-Joon, who defected from North Korea for the second time, about the reason why he told a different story in the news conference on the 13th from his previous testimony to the related authorities` investigation and about the real circumstances surrounding his second escape. It will also investigate whether Yoo violated the South and North Korean Exchange and Cooperation Law and the National Security Law.

During his stay in N.K., Yoo spent a few days from May 4th with his wife at the Munsuwon guest house in Pyungyang. Also, he resided at a rice-polishing factory in Pyungsung City, Pyungnam, and met his wife several times before his news conference on Aug. 14th.

An official of the joint investigation team said, "We met Yoo at a hotel in Seocho-Dong, Seocho-ku, Seoul, on Thursday. We inquired why he said in the news conference that he had escaped from a North Korean prison in military uniform and that he had entered North Korea by falling for a trap set by a North Korean soldier. The investigation will be continued."

In the investigation, Yoo testified that, "I exaggerated my story at the news conference because I was afraid that people would think of me as a criminal."

A high-ranking official of the government said, "Even though there is a possibility that Yoo entered South Korea by the order of the North Korean government, the possibility is very remote."

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com