Rebuilding spy agency

NIS should stay completely out of politics

During the election, President Moon Jae-in was resolute on reforming the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Moon pledged to close the spy agency’s domestic division, while expanding its capacity for international affairs, North Korea as well as terrorism and international crimes. He has also hinted at curtailing its counterespionage function.

Moon’s pledges to overhaul the nation’s chief intelligence agency are in response to the widespread criticism of its past abuses. The NIS has faced incessant criticism for its excessive involvement in politics. NIS director nominee Suh Hoon said this will change under the Moon administration, during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly Monday. “It is a shame the public confidence and support in the NIS have been greatly reduced because of controversies regarding its intervention in domestic politics,” Suh said.

The former deputy director of the NIS vowed to separate the spy agency completely from politics. The public will be closely watching to see if the agency can keep its promise this time.

The need for the NIS to rebuild itself and break away from its infamous political intervention became apparent during the Park Geun-hye administration. The NIS was linked to several political controversies, such as a public opinion manipulation scandal around the 2012 presidential election. A group of NIS agents posted massive amounts of comments online favorable to Park, the Saenuri Party presidential nominee, in an attempt to influence voter sentiment ahead of the election.

Suh hinted that the incident will be given further scrutiny, as the case was not properly investigated during the Park administration. Then NIS-chief Won Sei-hoon, who led the NIS from 2009 to 2013, is still waiting on appeal for his alleged involvement in the case. Those responsible for the election interference should be strictly punished. It is shocking the NIS was still engaging in such illegalities long after the end of authoritarian rule. The NIS should ensure it no longer plays any part in election meddling or other schemes that violate political neutrality.

North Korea staged its third missile test in three weeks Monday. It is Pyongyang’s ninth missile launch this year. With a grave national security situation, the primary goal of the NIS should be to protect the people by focusing on collecting intelligence on North Korea.

The next NIS chief should implement measures for fundamental change in its organization and function so it can focus on its inherent role. Above all, the NIS should aim to rebuild itself as an intelligence agency committed to the nation and the people, not a specific administration.