Austria’s Challenge with North Korean Influence in Taekwondo Federation
The ITF, led by North Korean Ri Yong Son in Vienna, is under scrutiny from Austrian authorities for alleged sanctions violations. Despite a court ruling dismissing these claims, concerns persist regarding its ties to North Korea, particularly amid growing military cooperation with Russia. The situation raises questions about Austria’s investigative capabilities regarding international espionage.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) operates out of a modest base on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria, led by North Korean Ri Yong Son. This organization claims over 100,000 members across more than 100 nations. However, Austrian authorities have sought to remove Ri, suspecting him of violating United Nations sanctions tied to financial activities benefitting North Korea.
Despite Austria’s efforts since March 2020 to revoke Ri’s work permit, a court ruling in July concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of misconduct, noting his declared earnings of approximately 5,256 euros per month. An ITF representative emphatically denied any wrongdoing, stating that the federation merely organizes competitions and issues taekwondo master certificates.
Dissident Jihyun Park, who has opposed the North Korean regime after her escape to the UK, claims that Ri and his family serve as agents of the North Korean government, facilitating the transfer of funds back to Pyongyang. The Austrian government has also denied entry to another North Korean individual linked to the ITF while Ri remains in Vienna.
Founded by South Korean General Choi Hong-Hi in 1966, the ITF has strained relations with its South Korean rival, World Taekwondo, which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Park argues that Austria must act decisively against the ITF due to North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Austria’s intelligence chief, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, identified North Korea as a significant focus for the country’s intelligence efforts. However, expert Siegfried Beer expressed concerns regarding Austria’s capability to effectively investigate espionage activities due to limited resources, expertise, and language skills, despite the presence of numerous international organizations that could potentially facilitate covert operations. Historical ties between North Korea and Austria have existed long before, including past dealings by a North Korean diplomat in Vienna, and links to high-profile members of the North Korean regime who resided in Austria until recently.
In conclusion, the International Taekwon-Do Federation in Vienna, led by Ri Yong Son, faces scrutiny from Austrian authorities over alleged violations of UN sanctions. Despite these allegations being dismissed by a court, concerns persist regarding the ITF’s operations and ties to North Korea. With calls for decisive action against North Korean influences in Austria, the situation highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of intelligence in a neutral country.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
