National Intelligence Service Director Nominee's Parliamentary Confirmation Hearing
Refuses to Submit Documents on Morality Controversy
"Personal Matters Buried in Naegok-dong Yard... Only Focused on South Korea's Future Path"
Park Ji-won, nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, attends the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th, removing his mask. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Park Ji-won, the nominee for the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stated on the 27th, "I will ensure that the NIS never intervenes in domestic politics or elections." Regarding the moral controversies surrounding him, he emphasized, "I will bury my personal matters in the garden of Naegok-dong and focus solely on the path that the Republic of Korea must take."
During his opening remarks at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing that morning, Park said, "I will not even mention the word 'politics' and will devote myself to the NIS's original mission and reform."
He added, "I will complete the reform of the NIS through laws and systems to ensure that the reform measures, such as the abolition of domestic intelligence collection implemented by former Director Suh Hoon, are not reversed." He also stressed, "I will be faithful to the NIS's original mission."
He stated, "I will devote all my wisdom and experience to fulfilling my final duty and aspiration of establishing a firm path of security and peace," and added, "While responding flawlessly to the diversified security environment including cyber safety, counter-terrorism, and advanced technology leakage, I will also thoroughly prepare for new security threats such as food, health, and security."
The hearing was divided into a morning public session addressing the nominee's personal background and morality issues, and an afternoon closed session dealing with sensitive issues such as North Korea and intelligence. The United Future Party focused on allegations against Park regarding academic fraud, preferential treatment related to attending university during military service, illegal political funds, and his views on North Korea.
In particular, they requested submission of documents related to his academic background, but Park asked for understanding, saying, "Please consider my personal information and the nature of the NIS as a special intelligence agency." He promised, "I will erase the politician Park Ji-won and be reborn as a strict national public servant," and said, "I will deeply take the words of the Intelligence Committee members as the voice of the people, refine myself once again, and use this as an opportunity for the NIS to become an institution trusted by the public through continuous renewal."
Park Ji-won, nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
In the closed session, the opposition party plans to question Park about his North Korea-related views, including verification of his 'pro-North' tendencies and his vision for a turnaround in inter-Korean relations. Park has previously expressed brief positions on major issues in written responses submitted to the Intelligence Committee.
Regarding claims that remittances to North Korea during the Kim Dae-jung administration were used for nuclear and missile development, he responded, "There is no evidence." On the National Security Act, he stated that it should be maintained but that amendments should be discussed depending on circumstances. He said, "North Korea has not abandoned its strategy of communist takeover of the South, which is a serious security reality," and added, "There are limitations in responding to North Korean operations with only the criminal law, so maintaining the National Security Act is necessary."
Regarding North Korea's demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office in Kaesong, he said, "The unilateral demolition of the liaison office building is very regrettable." On the postponement or reduction of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, he expressed the view that "While the joint exercises are the principle, both South Korea and the U.S. are in a special situation with North Korea, so flexible responses can be made through agreement between the two governments." He added, "Decisions regarding the reduction or withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea must be preceded by close consultations between South Korea and the U.S."
Park Ji-won is known as the "confirmation hearing sniper" who, during his time as a member of the National Assembly, had a direct or indirect impact on the withdrawal of nine high-ranking public official nominees through sharp scrutiny. This hearing, where Park himself is being scrutinized, is noted as another point of interest. The individuals Park caused to fall ranged from prime minister nominees to prosecutor general nominees. His experience and information power were gained through his roles as presidential chief of staff, minister, and member of the National Assembly. Although Park served as Minister of Culture and Tourism in 1999, this was before the introduction of the confirmation hearing law, so he did not undergo a confirmation hearing.
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