Yoon Geon-young "MB and National Intelligence Service's Illegal Surveillance... Must Be Corrected Even If Late"

Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning during the audit of the Ministry of Unification and others at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held at the National Assembly on October 8 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter So-Young Kim] On the 16th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) acknowledged that during the Lee Myung-bak administration, under the directive of the Civil Affairs Office, the NIS conducted illegal surveillance on politicians and civilians. Regarding this matter, Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and former head of the National Intelligence Planning Office at the Blue House under the Moon Jae-in administration, stated, "Although late, this must be corrected."

On the same day, Yoon posted on his Facebook, "An unacceptable event has occurred. It has been belatedly confirmed that, at the regime level, illegal and large-scale surveillance was conducted on politicians and key figures in civil society," adding, "This is shocking. It is absolutely incomprehensible from a common-sense perspective."

He continued, "It is said that there was a directive from the Lee Myung-bak Blue House. This was not an act carried out solely by the NIS. The investigation systematically gathered and managed results with the cooperation of related agencies such as the National Tax Service, police, and prosecution, and updated them regularly," adding, "It is disheartening. The foundation of democracy has been shaken."

He further stated, "We cannot overlook the past misconduct of the NIS as it is. Rotten parts must be excised, even if late, for new growth to emerge," expressing a strong stance.

Yoon also said, "I have some concern that this might open Pandora's box," but emphasized, "However, this is absolutely necessary for the NIS to be reborn as a proper intelligence agency," and stressed, "We will uncover the truth properly, thoroughly, and to the very end."

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