North Korean embassy break-in carried out by shadowy government in exile
A secretive group dedicated to overthrowing Kim Jong-un was behind a raid on Madrid’s North Korean embassy just days before a high-profile summit with Donald Trump, according to US media.
Ten men burst into the compound on February 22, tied up staff, stole computers and documents before escaping in two luxury vehicles.
According to the Washington Post, the operation was carried out by a group called Cheollima Civil Defense, a secretive dissident organisation committed to overthrowing the Kim dynasty.
Experts believe the stolen documents could provide insight into North Korea’s efforts to bypass international sanctions and import luxury goods from Europe. Those files could be a veritable treasure trove for intelligence agencies, who may seek access to them from the group.
The raid has been shrouded in mystery and was initially reported as a break-in. Spanish authorities have only officially confirmed that on February 22 a North Korean woman who was slightly injured was picked up on a street near the embassy.
Spanish press had previously suggested the raid was carried out in co-ordination with the CIA, but American media reports have disputed this, suggesting US intelligence agencies would be reluctant to be involved in such a brazen attack, particularly so close to a high-stakes summit between President Trump and Kim. The meeting between the two leaders in Hanoi, Vietnam, ultimately ended without an agreement.
The CCD group first emerged in 2017 when it posted a video of Kim Jong-un’s nephew online, saying it had guaranteed his safety after his father, Kim’s half-brother, was killed after being smeared with nerve agent in Kuala Lumpur airport in February that year.
Last month the group declared itself as a government-in-exile for the North called "Free Joseon", an old name for Korea.
