Recruiting friendlies: the gray areas between diplomacy and espionage

A Korean diplomat asks you to write a paper and then pays more than it was worth - in cash???

To your dismay, after studying Korean for years at university, you now work in a government office that records agricultural statistics. The week after attending a Korean Embassy event, a Korean diplomat asks to meet you. She introduces you to a colleague, a Mr. Kim. Another week later, and Mr. Kim asks you to write a short paper on the recent election to help him better understand local politics. He is, after all, new to the country. It would be a very kind favor, and it would help you practice Korean. Although, it’s weird, you think. Mr Kim doesn’t read the newspapers? Mr Kim then pays you more than such a task was worth - in cash! This is good, you think. A few weeks later, you’ve written short papers on local politics, the school system, and the media - and received good money! Then Mr. Kim asks whether you’d be interested in writing a more detailed paper on agriculture - he’d pay more money, and it is what you do at work. Maybe you could present it in Korea, he says. A free trip …