NIS Statement on Comment Manipulation Verdict: "We Will Not Repeat the Dark Past"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Dong-pyo]The National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated on the 13th regarding the 'comment manipulation' verdict issued the previous day, "We will once again reflect on our dark past and use this as an opportunity for reform."

In the statement titled 'Position on the Verdicts Related to the Previous Government's NIS Cases' distributed that day, the NIS said, "We respect the judiciary's judgment, deeply reflect, and take this as an opportunity for complete reform."

The NIS expressed, "We sincerely apologize once again to the victims and the public affected by this incident," emphasizing its determination to complete reforms through amendments to the NIS Act. It added, "To prevent the dark past from recurring, we will cooperate fully with the National Assembly to pass the amendment to the NIS Act, completely eliminate domestic political interference, and ensure the smooth transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority."

The Supreme Court confirmed the original sentence handed down the previous day to Yoo Sung-ok, former head of the NIS Psychological Operations Unit, who was indicted for participating in domestic political operations during the Lee Myung-bak administration, sentencing him to 1 year and 6 months in prison and 1 year and 6 months of disqualification.

Additionally, the court issued a public ruling on the 'surveillance-related information disclosure request' filed by former Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Kwak No-hyun and artist Park Jae-dong. The NIS promised, "We will disclose all related information in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling."

The Seoul Central District Court also ruled partially in favor of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by Yoo Woo-sung, a victim of a 'spy fabrication' case, and his family against the state, ordering payments of 120 million won to Yoo, 80 million won to his younger brother, and 30 million won to his father.

Regarding Chu Sun-hee, Secretary-General of the Korea Parents' Association, who was indicted for leading various state-sponsored demonstrations supporting the former ruling party in collusion with the NIS, the court overturned the original suspended sentence and sentenced her to 10 months in prison.

Meanwhile, in response to recent reports that some comment agents sentenced to prison for involvement in election interference cases were re-employed by subsidiaries of Yangwoohoe, the NIS mutual aid association, the NIS stated, "We deeply regret not having thoroughly examined this in advance and will resolve the matter through appropriate procedures."

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