[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid the National Intelligence Service's search and seizure of the offices of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on suspicion of espionage, Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stated on the 19th that "pro-North Korean spy forces have taken root nationwide," emphasizing that the NIS's counterintelligence investigation authority is absolutely necessary.
On the same day, Jeong posted on his social media (SNS), "The Moon Jae-in administration abolished the NIS's counterintelligence investigation authority under the pretext of reforming the NIS. The NIS's counterintelligence investigation capabilities have plummeted to the bottom," expressing his concerns.
Jin Jeong-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@
He added, "According to the NIS Act amendment proposed by the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party, the NIS's counterintelligence investigation authority will be transferred to the police in January next year. It is true that the police lack experienced espionage investigation skills and overseas counterintelligence networks," and questioned, "Who would be the happiest if the hands and feet of the NIS, which has accumulated decades of espionage investigation know-how, are tied?"
Furthermore, he said, "Kim Jong-un is exponentially increasing nuclear warheads and boasts that he will strike the southern part of the Korean Peninsula anytime with tactical nuclear weapons. He is desperate to infiltrate spy groups into every corner of our society to incite civil war," adding, "This is an opportunity to mobilize all counterintelligence investigation capabilities to uncover the entire truth of the case and root out the spy forces hidden throughout society."
On the 18th, when the National Intelligence Service conducted a search and seizure of the headquarters office of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), police forces were controlling access in front of the KCTU headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
The Justice Party claims that the NIS's search and seizure is a "planned investigation to prevent the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority." Jeong responded, "Every time a spy case is revealed, pro-North Korean forces distort public opinion by calling it a political crackdown, but as seen in the 'Autonomous Unification Chungbuk Comrades Association' case aimed at the last presidential election, spy organization members have deeply infiltrated the front lines of politics and our close vicinity," criticizing, "From 2011 to 2016, there were 26 espionage detections, averaging more than four cases per year, but during the Moon Jae-in administration from 2017 to 2020, there were only three cases, and even those were cases recognized and under investigation during the Park Geun-hye administration."
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