Starting Next Year, Police to Take Charge of Counterintelligence Investigations
"Will Share Investigation Techniques with the National Intelligence Service"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has launched a temporary 'Joint Counterintelligence Investigation Unit' ahead of the abolition of counterintelligence investigation authority next year.
The NIS announced on the 6th that it will operate the Joint Counterintelligence Investigation Unit in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office and the National Police Agency until December 31, conducting joint investigations and prosecutions of cases violating the National Security Act.
According to the NIS, the Joint Investigation Unit is organized under the NIS, with one deputy head each from the NIS and the police. The organization consists of a support team, a cooperation team, and four joint investigation teams, totaling 45 personnel. Twenty investigators from the police form the cooperation team and others, while two dispatched prosecutors provide legal review and advisory roles on prosecution and trials.
Originally, counterintelligence investigation authority was operated centered on the NIS, but according to the amended National Intelligence Service Act in December 2020 during the Moon Jae-in administration, the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters will take full charge from next year. In preparation for this, the NIS plans to share counterintelligence investigation techniques with the police through the operation of the Joint Investigation Unit.
In addition, the NIS plans to open a Security Crime Information Cooperation Center within this year to prepare for the abolition of counterintelligence investigation authority and will promote a transition to an information cooperation system starting next year.
An NIS official explained, "A comprehensive review of the operation results of the Joint Counterintelligence Investigation Unit, the security environment, and the investigation system will be conducted in the future," adding, "Based on the amended National Intelligence Service Act, we plan to establish measures for mutual cooperation between the NIS and investigative agencies at all levels."
Meanwhile, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, dismissed claims circulating that the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority to the police would be canceled, stating on the same day that preparations are being made thoroughly. Commissioner Yoon said, "During the transitional period, the police and the NIS will form a joint investigation unit to jointly investigate several major cases," adding, "We will ensure that investigation capabilities and techniques related to information collection are transferred from the NIS."
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