Director Park Ji-won Inaugurated as NIS Chief: "Will Open New Paths for Inter-Korean Relations and North Korean Nuclear Resolution"

"No Domestic Political Interference by the National Intelligence Service"

President Moon Jae-in is taking a commemorative photo with Park Ji-won, the newly appointed Director of the National Intelligence Service, after presenting the appointment letter at the Blue House on the 29th.

Park Ji-won, the newly appointed Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stated on the 29th, "I will do my best to break the deadlock in inter-Korean relations, dispel concerns about domestic political interference, and complete the reform of the NIS."

At the inauguration ceremony of the 35th NIS Director held at the NIS headquarters that day, Director Park said, "Our duty now is to protect national security and open the way to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue."

He assessed the current situation faced by the NIS, saying, "As the deadlock in North Korea denuclearization negotiations and inter-Korean relations prolongs, the security situation is becoming more volatile due to intensified hegemonic competition among major powers."

Director Park urged NIS employees, "The ultimate goal and aspiration of security is the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula," emphasizing, "Let us fulfill the historical responsibility and the era's mission that our homeland demands of us."

He added, "As the Director, I will devote all my experience and wisdom to the security of the Republic of Korea, peace on the Korean Peninsula, and reconciliation and cooperation among our people," and said, "Let us unite and move forward on the path demanded by our country and the times."

Regarding the reform of the NIS, Director Park stated, "Since the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, the NIS has implemented bold reform measures that have eliminated recurring noise and controversies every year, but the public still harbors doubts," emphasizing, "Now it is time to complete these reforms through laws and systems."

He continued, "As the Director, I will create an NIS where employees can confidently perform their duties according to laws and principles," promising, "I will be a shield against any unjust demands or interference directed at the NIS."

Director Park urged, "Employees must take the lead in reform to build an NIS that stands proudly before history and the people."

Regarding the current security environment, he said, "Threats are diversifying with cyber safety and anti-terrorism, and new security threats directly affecting public safety, such as food and health, are increasing," emphasizing, "We must correctly read the flow of the times and leap forward as a 'world-class intelligence agency' through convergence with advanced scientific technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data."

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in presented appointment letters to Director Park, Minister of Unification Lee In-young, and Commissioner of the National Police Agency Kim Chang-ryong at the Blue House main building that day.

President Moon described Director Park as "the key figure who successfully held the first-ever inter-Korean summit and a person with the longest experience and rich expertise."

President Moon emphasized, "Inter-Korean relations cannot be resolved by one ministry alone," adding, "The NIS, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and the National Security Office must work as one team, pooling wisdom and sharing roles."

In response, Director Park said, "I thank the President who appointed me," adding, "I will repay by breaking the deadlock in inter-Korean relations and reforming the NIS to erase its dark history. There will never be any political interference in any case, as the President intends."

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