Confirmation Hearing Report for NIS Director Nominee Lee Jongseok Adopted: "Considering Middle East Situation"

First Confirmation Hearing Passed Under Lee Administration
"Bipartisan Agreement on the Need for NIS to Fulfill Its Core Role"

On June 23, the National Assembly Intelligence Committee adopted the confirmation hearing report for Lee Jongseok, nominee for Director of the National Intelligence Service.

The Intelligence Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly on this day and, through bipartisan agreement, approved the adoption of the confirmation hearing report for the nominee. This marks the first case of a nominee passing a confirmation hearing under the Lee Jaemyung administration.

Lee Jongseok, nominee for the Director of the National Intelligence Service, is speaking at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on June 19, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Shin Sungbeom, Chair of the Intelligence Committee, referenced the military conflict between Israel and Iran, stating, "Given that North Korea's response could also have a significant impact on the security of the Korean Peninsula, the prompt appointment of the NIS Director is more important than ever." He added, "There was a shared understanding between the ruling and opposition parties that, through the adoption of this report, the NIS needs to fulfill its core responsibilities."

Park Sunwon, Democratic Party secretary of the Intelligence Committee, told reporters, "In addition to the war between Israel and Iran, direct strikes and intervention by the United States against Iran will have a major impact on the economy. Considering the potential effects on the Northeast Asian situation as North Korea continues to pursue nuclear weapons, a significant decision was made that the position of NIS Director should not remain vacant, especially since the security team ministers have not yet been appointed under the Lee Jaemyung administration."

He continued, "The nominee was deemed qualified in every respect," and added, "From this moment, the NIS will function normally and fulfill its role as the most important institution for our national security."

Lee Sungkwon, People Power Party secretary of the Intelligence Committee, stated, "The People Power Party expressed concerns that the nominee might have a North Korea-friendly perspective as NIS Director." However, he added, "Given that North Korean troops are being deployed to the war in Ukraine, leaving the top national security position vacant is not in the national interest, regardless of party affiliation. For this reason, we cooperated in adopting the report."

At the confirmation hearing on June 19, both parties examined the nominee's views on security and North Korea. The Democratic Party evaluated the nominee as having professional expertise and capability regarding inter-Korean issues and peace on the Korean Peninsula, while the People Power Party criticized the nominee as having a 'pro-North Korea' tendency.

Previously, on June 20, the Intelligence Committee attempted to decide on the adoption of the confirmation hearing report for the nominee at a plenary session, but the attempt failed due to opposition from the People Power Party.