The National Intelligence Service and the prosecution said Tuesday that their investigation into former pro-democracy activists’ alleged spying for North Korea has hit a snag, as their key suspects are refusing to make statements.

Investigators said Korean American Jang Min-ho, the key figure in the case, and two others are on a hunger strike, and all five suspects, including the three men, are exercising the right to remain silent.

Investigators added that in spy cases, it is important to conduct probes based on suspects’ statements before securing evidence.

As the case has been made public at an early stage of investigation, they said, those who have connections with the suspects might destroy evidence or disappear.

Meanwhile, the suspects’ families held a new conference jointly with civic groups in Seoul, claiming that the National Intelligence Service has violated the human rights of the suspects and their families by making the investigation public without evidence to prove their guilt.

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