The International Taekwon-Do Federation, led by North Korean Ri Yong Son, faces scrutiny in Austria over suspected UN sanctions violations. Despite claims of innocence by ITF officials, the Austrian government has tried to revoke Ri’s work permit, citing potential harm to its reputation. With concerns about North Korea’s ties to Moscow rising, the situation remains critical for Austrian authorities.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), headquartered near Vienna and led by North Korean Ri Yong Son, claims over 100,000 members across more than 100 countries. Despite its global presence, Austrian authorities have sought to revoke Ri’s work permit since March 2020, suspecting him of violating UN sanctions through the funneling of foreign currency to North Korea. However, recent court rulings revealed insufficient evidence of such activities despite concerns regarding his impact on Austria’s reputation.
An ITF official asserted there is “no circumvention of United Nations sanctions,” emphasizing that the organization solely arranges competitions and issues taekwondo master certificates aligned with North Korean practices. In contrast, dissident Jihyun Park claims Ri and his family function as agents for North Korea, calling for Austria to take immediate action against the ITF amid increasing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, particularly related to military cooperation.
Austria’s intelligence services consider North Korea a significant concern, but experts like Siegfried Beer note limitations in resources and expertise available for investigating clandestine activities. The country has a long history of connections to North Korea, including the presence of diplomats involved in questionable dealings that went unpunished. In addition, North Korea once utilized Austria for passport printing, indicating deep-rooted ties that remain of concern to this day.
In summary, the International Taekwon-Do Federation, under Ri Yong Son’s leadership, faces scrutiny from Austrian authorities amid allegations of breaching UN sanctions. Despite defense by ITF officials, concerns persist regarding the organization’s ties to North Korea and its potential implications for Austria’s international standing. As North Korea bolsters its collaborations with other nations, the issue remains urgent for Austrian intelligence and international relations.
Original Source: www.wyomingnewsnow.tv
