Park Ji-won "Apology for Past NIS Illegal Surveillance and Political Interference"

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The National Intelligence Service (NIS) issued a public apology for illegal surveillance and political interference committed during past administrations. This public apology was made in line with implementing the resolution passed by the National Assembly last month to prevent the recurrence of illegal surveillance by the NIS.

On the 27th, Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, announced an apology statement at the Government Seoul Office, saying, "I, along with all NIS employees, sincerely apologize once again for the illegal surveillance and political interference by the NIS in the past, in accordance with the solemn order from the National Assembly, the representative institution of the people."

He reflected, "The illegal surveillance and political interference by the NIS in the past were carried out systematically under the improper orders from the Blue House as well as the NIS command structure. We surveilled and oppressed political and government figures, academics, related organizations, and even their families and organization members."

Furthermore, he enumerated cases of illegal surveillance and political interference conducted by the NIS in the past. He mentioned activities such as gathering information on figures in the culture, arts, and religious sectors, creating blacklists of entertainers, and providing financial support to specific organizations and projects to secure pro-government forces, stating, "We mistakenly regarded the national intelligence agency as a 'regime support agency' and forgot that the nation and the people stand above the regime."

However, Director Park firmly stated, "Since the Moon Jae-in administration, there have been no improper orders from the regime to the NIS, and I categorically declare that there has been no political interference or illegal surveillance by the NIS." He promised, "This is truly the season of politics. I and all NIS employees will thoroughly practice political neutrality."

He also stated, "We will advance as a service agency that supports peace on the Korean Peninsula, effectively handles counterintelligence and counterespionage cases, and contributes to national interests, security, safety, and public welfare by addressing industrial technology leaks, cyber hacking, and counterterrorism."