Rodong Sinmun
After becoming a French citizen he was opened to North Korean connections in Europe by meeting a North Korean agent Oon Yung. This led to his political defection from South Korea to North Korea, becoming an associate of Kim Jong-il whom he met and says was like a father figure for him. He actively worked for the North Korean authorities for 11 years, visiting Pyongyang several times. He served time as a foreign correspondent of Rodong Sinmun.