Nis Pressed to Push Self-reform

Is it possible for the nation’s spy agency to reform itself? President Park Geun-hye said Monday that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) should set up measures for self-reform. However, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) described this as a counterproductive proposal.

“Park’s request is like entrusting a thief with the task of catching a thief. Park and the ruling Saenuri Party seem to have little understanding of the present situation which is very grave,” said Rep. Jun Byung-hun, the DP floor leader, Tuesday.

Speaking at a party meeting at the National Assembly, Jun said the spy agency’s alleged illegal intervention in last year’s presidential election is not a separate issue to the matter of reforming the NIS.

“The NIS released confidential information (the 2007 inter-Korean summit records) and strategically used it from the presidential election period to water down various controversial issues surrounding Park,” said Jun, describing this as the ultimate political maneuver.

Jun urged President Park to sack NIS head Nam Jae-joon if she has the will to reform the agency.

Rep. Jin Sung-joon said President Park talked about the NIS issues as if it were other people’s business.

“She said that the allegations surrounding the NIS’s meddling in the presidential election and late President Roh Moo-hyun’s comments regarding the Northern Limit Line have aggravated social conflict. But she should include herself within this because she is the author of such conflict,” said Jin.

Rep. Moon Byeong-ho said, as the head of the country responsible for managing state affairs, Park should make an apology about the...