Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won stated on the 24th that he will "cooperate sincerely with the police investigation" regarding allegations that he requested employment for his associates at the National Security Strategy Institute (Strategy Institute) under the National Intelligence Service.
Through social media on the same day, former Director Park explained, "From 7 a.m. for 30 minutes, the police conducted a search and seizure," adding, "It has been reported that I employed two aides as research fellows at the affiliated institute. The seized item was one mobile phone, and no other items or documents were taken."
Regarding the seizure of his phone, former Director Park introduced that he "recently activated a new phone number."
Earlier, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency executed search warrants on former Director Park and former National Security Office Chief Seo Hoon. Both are suspected of requesting employment for their associates at the Strategy Institute, an agency under the National Intelligence Service, during their tenure as directors.
In former Director Park’s case, he is suspected of hiring two aides as research fellows without following proper recommendation procedures, document screening, or interviews.
Former Chief Seo is suspected of hiring a person who did not meet the recruitment criteria as the head of the Research Planning Office in August 2017.
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