U.S. ARRESTS MANHATTAN MAN FOR LYING TO THE FBI ABOUT ACTING IN THE UNITED STATES AS A SOUTH KOREAN AGENT

NEW YORK—Park Il Woo, a/k/a “Steve Park,” was arrested today on charges that he repeatedly lied to FBI agents about his activities in the United States on behalf of the Republic of Korea (commonly known as South Korea), from 2005 to the present, announced Michael J. Garcia, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Mark J. Mershon, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

        Agents also executed a search warrant at Park’s Manhattan residence simultaneous to the arrest.  According to the complaint and search warrant affidavit, incorporated by reference in the complaint:

        Park, 58, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, engaged in conduct in the United States on behalf of the South Korea by, among other things, obtaining information from officials of another foreign government and providing that information to South Korean officials in exchange for payment. 

                For example, during a recorded telephone call, Park relayed to a South Korean official working in Manhattan that officials of the other foreign government had asked Park to help them obtain certain items, including insecticides and anesthetics.  However, the complaint alleges, on three occasions in 2005 and 2007, Park gave false information to FBI agents regarding his contacts with or knowledge of certain South Korean officials.

        For example, on March 20, 2007, FBI agents showed Park photographs of certain South Korean officials working in Manhattan, and Park stated that he did not know two of the officials.  Park then drove directly from that FBI interview to a restaurant in New Jersey, where he met with one of the South Korean officials he claimed not to know.

        Park is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald L. Ellis in Manhattan federal court.  Mr. Garcia praised the efforts of the FBI for their efforts in this continuing investigation. 

        Assistant U.S.Attorneys Jennifer G. Rodgers and Stephen A. Miller are handling the prosecution.

        The charges and allegations contained in the complaint and documents incorporated by reference are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.