Russia has decided to expel a Japanese diplomat based in Vladivostok after he allegedly obtained classified documents on Moscow’s cooperation with an “Asia-Pacific” country, which experts told NK News could refer to as North Korea.

In a press release on Monday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that Japanese consul Motoko Tatsunori was caught “red-handed” receiving classified information about “Russia’s cooperation with one of the countries of the Asia-Pacific” and the “impact of western sanctions on the Primorsky region.” 

North Korean state media briefly reported the incident on Wednesday, stating that “Russia took stern measures” deporting the diplomat for spying.