The Defense Security Command is known to have pressed charges last year against four South Korean civilians on charges of providing military intelligence to North Korea.
 
Four other suspected spies are also known to be under investigation for allegedly trying to persuade soldiers to spy for Pyongyang.
 
According to Saenuri Party Representative Yi Wan-young, who is the executive secretary for the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, the Defense Security Command made this report during a committee meeting on Friday.
 
The lawmaker conveyed the command's report as saying the suspected spies were all civilians and they attempted to steal military secrets and recruit soldiers to become spies. 
 
Yi said the suspects are believed to have been arrested and indicted over espionage but the lawmaker did not disclose the ages or gender, citing security reasons.