Park Ji-won on National Intelligence Service suspension: "Which public official would work wholeheartedly?"

MBC Radio, 100 NIS Agents on Standby Transfer 'Personnel Massacre' Criticism
"Concerns Over Tax Waste and Security Gaps"

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] It has been reported that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) recently placed over 100 senior officials at levels 2 and 3, including those who held key positions during the Moon Jae-in administration, on standby following a personnel reshuffle. In response, former NIS Director Park Ji-won criticized the move as a "personnel massacre."

On the morning of the 7th, former Director Park appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" and said, "What bothers me is that the NIS I was part of is undergoing a personnel massacre."

When the host asked about the recent standby orders, former Director Park explained, "The number of level 1 department heads is confidential, but since it has already been reported in the media, I will tell you. Initially, all 27 level 1 department heads were placed on standby, and now most of them have been retired." He added, "Additionally, about 100 level 2 and 3 officials, who form the backbone, were also placed on standby within 4 to 5 months. According to the Civil Service Act, they cannot be dismissed."

He criticized the personnel reshuffle as retaliatory. He said, "When you reshuffle levels 2 and 3, you should also handle levels 4 and 5, but if you do it this way up to level 4, who are the responsible leaders supporting the backbone, can the NIS function properly?" He questioned, "Is it acceptable to have such retaliatory personnel actions every time the administration changes?" He continued, "If such retaliatory personnel actions occur every time the government changes, who among the civil servants would dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their work?" and expressed suspicion, "Is this a signal that such practices will be transferred to other ministries as well?"

Regarding those placed on standby, he emphasized, "I have no personal connections with any of them." He said, "During the Park Geun-hye administration, some employees who worked in domestic intelligence collection and analysis, as well as political relations, were legally punished and suffered personnel disadvantages. Later, upon learning this, I selected talented individuals and placed them in key positions." He added, "If I had not selected them then, wouldn't they have been chosen by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and performed well for five years? They were successful under a conservative administration and then selected by a progressive administration for their competence. How can they be mercilessly all placed on standby after such a short period?"

Former Director Park expressed frustration, saying it is difficult to speak in detail due to concerns that further retaliatory personnel actions may occur. He said, "More than 100 of these people are all assigned to support departments, which is a waste of taxpayers' money and poses a security gap." He added, "If I say more here, more competent level 4 civil servants will face retaliation, so I cannot speak, but it will be revealed someday."