ROK asks US to confirm spying claims

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's foreign ministry said Tuesday that it has asked the United States to confirm media reports of the US intelligence agency's spying on the ROK's embassy.

"We are confirming whether the media report is true. Depending on the result, we will take appropriate measures, if necessary," Han Hye-jin, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters at a briefing.

Han noted that Seoul has asked the US government through diplomatic channels to verify allegations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropped on the South Korean mission in the United States.

According to British media Guardian, the NSA has bugged phone calls and e-mails of 38 embassies in the United States., including European Union missions. The report was based on classified documents disclosed by fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.