Park Ji-won: "Counterintelligence Investigation Authority Now Defended by Police, NIS as Assistant"

Meeting with Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong to Discuss Follow-up Measures on the National Intelligence Service Act
"Active Cooperation Until the Transfer of Counterintelligence Investigation Authority in 3 Years"

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, attended the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly on November 24 and responded to questions from lawmakers. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stated on the 15th, "From today, all counterintelligence investigations by the NIS will be conducted jointly with the police," adding, "Until the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority in three years, the police will act as the shooters, and the NIS will serve as the assistants."

On the same day, Director Park invited Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and senior police officials related to intelligence and security to the NIS to discuss follow-up measures regarding the transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority.

At this meeting, arranged as a follow-up to the recently passed amendment to the NIS Act in the National Assembly to ensure smooth cooperation and transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority, Director Park said, "During the remaining period, we will fully transfer all NIS counterintelligence investigation techniques, including cyber investigations, to the police."

He added, "We plan to accommodate as many of the police's requests as possible regarding future investigative cooperation and the transfer of investigative authority."

Director Park emphasized, "Although some express concerns that the transfer of investigative authority might be postponed again or canceled after three years, we will thoroughly cooperate and consult with the police to ensure the complete and smooth transfer of counterintelligence investigation authority."

Meanwhile, on the 13th, the amendment to the NIS Act passed the plenary session of the National Assembly, resulting in the transfer of the NIS's counterintelligence investigation authority to the police for the first time in 63 years since its establishment. This reflects ongoing concerns about human rights violations, abuse of power, and political misconduct during the NIS's counterintelligence investigations.

However, a three-year grace period until January 2024 was applied to ensure a smooth transfer. This means that the counterintelligence investigation authority, which originated with the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency, the predecessor of the NIS, in 1961, will be transferred after 63 years.

Additionally, concepts such as "domestic security information," "counterintelligence," and "anti-government subversion" were removed from the NIS's existing scope of duties. Instead, the scope was clearly defined to include ▲ collection, creation, and distribution of information related to overseas and North Korea, counterespionage, counterterrorism, international criminal organizations, cybersecurity, and satellite asset information ▲ security duties ▲ prevention and response to cyberattacks and threats.

Furthermore, the NIS's operational principles now explicitly include "maintaining political neutrality," and provisions prohibiting political involvement were added.

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