Security Investigation by the Military on Media Reports

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] After a year, I received a call from a senior from my hometown. The momentary joy quickly faded. The senior protested, saying, "What kind of article did you write that I have to undergo a security investigation by the Defense Security Support Command?" A colonel who trained with me at the Korea National Defense University last year expressed the same dissatisfaction for the same reason. Recently, most of the calls I receive from seniors and juniors from my hometown and school are about this.

What kind of articles led to these security investigations? The security investigations began with the article published in December last year titled 'Arrival of the first High-Altitude Unmanned Aerial System (HUAS) Global Hawk (RQ-4).' Following that, articles about the first test launch of the 'Hyunmoo-4' ballistic missile on the 6th of last month and a large-scale joint maritime firing exercise on the 15th of the same month led to another round of security investigations. At that time, a Ministry of National Defense official even directly warned me. This official pressured me with a threatening remark, saying, "If you keep writing sensitive articles, won't the people around you feel uncomfortable?" Among reporters, there was an outcry that this was nothing more than an attempt to identify sources. When this was officially protested during a regular briefing, the Ministry of National Defense explained that they were "only observing the reporting process."

The Ministry of National Defense's security investigations applied only to media reports. In April, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris announced the introduction of the Global Hawk through social networking services (SNS). The Ministry of National Defense neither conducted security investigations nor lodged complaints against Ambassador Harris. While the Ministry had previously concealed even the existence of the Global Hawk, citing strategic assets as confidential matters, it was unable to say a word to Ambassador Harris, who actually leaked the secret.

The situation is similar in defense-related agencies. They have to endure various inconveniences under the pretext of security investigations. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration subjects reporters visiting the agency to security screening and even investigates the sources of documents inside their bags. While it is natural to undergo security checks if carrying explosives or other terrorist-risk items, the intention behind verifying the sources of documents inside bags is suspicious.

Internal staff have also expressed dissatisfaction with the security investigations. On the 9th, a post was uploaded on the Blue House's public petition site. The petitioner stated, "After recent media reports of classified information leaks, the head of the Agency for Defense Development, under the pretext of strengthening security, has been mobilizing researchers to inspect their vehicles when leaving work," and argued, "Researchers who should be focusing on developing advanced weapons did not join the agency to inspect car trunks under the scorching sun."

Reporters covering the Ministry of National Defense are always concerned. They repeatedly ask themselves whether their reporting could potentially be considered an act of treason. But today, there is one more concern: whether even this article might be subject to a security investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.