The retired Danish cook who became a North Korean spy

A new documentary by Brugger, in co-production with Norwegian radio NRK, Swedish station SVT and Britain’s BBC, features Larsen, who is said to have infiltrated North Korea. Photos: dpa

Ulrich Larsen can’t even explain to himself what made him take up a double life as a North Korean spy.

“I don’t really know myself. I’ve actually always been a pretty ordinary guy, ” says the retired cook who lives in a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark with his family. Then along came North Korea.