"Won't Interfere in Domestic Politics," Park Ji-won Shares Column Expressing Determination to Reform the National Intelligence Service

Sharing a Media Column on SNS
"The National Intelligence Service Reform Policy Must Continue"

Park Ji-won, the newly appointed Director of the National Intelligence Service, raises his hand in greeting as he leaves his residence in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Park Ji-won, the newly appointed Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), who begins his term on the 29th, indirectly expressed his determination to "strive for NIS reform" immediately after the presidential appointment approval on the 28th.

On the same day, Park shared a column titled "Park Ji-won, End the Dark History of the NIS" on his Facebook. The column stated, "Candidate Park repeatedly pledged during the confirmation hearing not to interfere in domestic politics at all. President Moon Jae-in also promised NIS reform, and former NIS Director Suh Hoon reportedly completed a significant part of the reform. When Candidate Park assumes the position of NIS Director, he must continue this policy."

This is interpreted as Park’s intention to reform the NIS, which has been embroiled in controversy for direct and indirect political involvement, such as the so-called "NIS Public Opinion Manipulation Incident" during the 2012 presidential election period, where internet comments defaming then-candidate Moon Jae-in were posted to manipulate public opinion.

The column also argued that Park should take on the role of improving the strained inter-Korean relations. It explained about Park, "There is no one with as much experience in inter-Korean issues as Candidate Park," and "It can be seen that President Moon also highly valued this."

It further emphasized, "First, he must become the top contributor to improving inter-Korean relations," and "Although there is the Ministry of Unification, the actual contact and negotiations should be handled by the NIS."

Meanwhile, right after the announcement of his nomination as NIS Director on the 3rd, Park stated that he would stop social network service (SNS) activities, saying, "From now on, I will not mention even the word 'politics' and will focus on the NIS’s original mission and devote myself to NIS reform."

Since then, instead of posting his own writings, he has been indirectly expressing his intentions by quoting media columns and posts from acquaintances.

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