Controversy Over Kim Tae-hyo's Attitude in Do-cheong Explanation... Political Circles Call It "Inappropriate"

Kim Tae-hyo on US Eavesdropping Allegations: "No Malicious Circumstances"
Lee Eon-ju on Interview Attitude: "Seems to Have Forgotten His Duty"

Amid allegations that U.S. intelligence agencies wiretapped the presidential office, Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, sparked controversy by stating that there is no malicious intent from the U.S. side. In the political sphere, criticism is pouring in not only about Kim's remarks but also about his attitude during the interview.

Earlier, on the 11th (local time), Kim met with reporters at Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. and responded, "Currently, many aspects of this issue involve third-party intervention, and there is no evidence that our ally, the United States, acted with any malicious intent toward us."

When further questioned about the U.S. government's wiretapping allegations that day, he showed discomfort by saying, "If you are going to ask about the same topic, I will leave. Is that okay?"

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, spoke to reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington D.C. on the 11th (local time) regarding the growing suspicions of surveillance and wiretapping on South Korea due to the leak of classified U.S. documents. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding this, Kim Yong-tae, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, criticized the response as inappropriate, saying, "Where is there wiretapping with malice or goodwill?" On the 12th, on YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Face-off,' he said, "I understand the presidential office's efforts to be very cautious regarding national interests and international relations, and the need for a thorough investigation," but added, "The public is disappointed by the attitude of senior presidential office officials and high-ranking public servants who seem to be representing the Japanese and U.S. governments in the context of the Korea-Japan summit and the current wiretapping allegations."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Eon-ju pointed out, "They are not elected officials entrusted with sovereignty but the president's aides," and criticized, "Conveying the U.S. position as it is and then speaking as if it were our own stance is problematic." On the same day, on CPBC Radio's 'Kim Hye-young's News Sympathy,' she said, "Our country is not a vassal state. Regarding the wiretapping, we must, of course, strongly and officially protest," calling it "a formal kind of protocol."

Kim's sharp reaction to reporters' questions about the wiretapping allegations also came under scrutiny. Former lawmaker Lee said, "I was very surprised by his expression," and criticized, "It seems he forgot his duty." Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won also commented on MBC Radio's 'Shin Jang-sik's News High Kick' that "No matter how powerful someone is, reporters are the number one citizens," and added, "Correspondents abroad are usually senior reporters, almost at the chief or deputy chief level, so (Kim Tae-hyo's) behavior is fundamentally arrogant and inappropriate."