4 South Korean activists arrested for alleged anti-gov't activities upon North Korean orders

A Korean activist, center, enters the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday to attend a court hearing over his potential arrest. [NEWS1]

Four South Korean activists were arrested Wednesday on charges of conducting anti-government activities after taking orders from North Korea.

The Seoul Central District Court approved the prosecution's request to detain the four, saying they are a flight risk and could destroy evidence.

The four allegedly established an anti-government organization based in the southeastern city of Changwon in 2016 after receiving orders from North Korean agents in a number of Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia.

The activists have since organized anti-U.S. protests and activities in support of North Korea, prosecutors said.

Yonhap