The Democratic Party Unilaterally Passes the National Intelligence Service Act Amendment at the Intelligence Committee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lim Chun-han and Jeon Jin-young] The amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act passed the National Assembly Intelligence Committee plenary session on the 30th solely by the Democratic Party of Korea amid opposition from opposition parties.

The Intelligence Committee held a plenary session in the afternoon to submit the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act and proceeded with the voting process. The People Power Party abstained from voting, opposing the 'transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority.'

This amendment primarily involves transferring the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation authority to the police and removing domestic intelligence collection from its scope of duties. The People Power Party has opposed the transfer, calling it a 'deterioration' that would increase police power excessively and weaken security capabilities.

Previously, the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act was also approved solely by the Democratic Party at the bill subcommittee on the 24th. The Democratic Party plans to process the amendment at the plenary session on the 9th.