NIS Preemptively Aware of Illegal Surveillance on 18th National Assembly Members

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] It was reported on the 9th that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had already been aware in 2017 of illegal surveillance by the NIS on the 18th National Assembly members.

After the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, the NIS Reform and Development Committee, established to root out deep-rooted evils, requested a prosecution investigation on this matter, but it is understood that the investigation was not carried out due to 'lack of evidence.'

At the National Assembly Intelligence Committee meeting held that day, an attendee reported that the NIS stated, "In 2017, the NIS Reform and Development Committee recognized the issue and requested a prosecution investigation, but the prosecution did not proceed further citing 'absence of original materials' as the reason."

The NIS reportedly also stated, "We ourselves could not find the related original materials."

Since March, the NIS has been conducting an internal audit regarding allegations of illegal surveillance on all members of the 18th National Assembly and other past illegal surveillance activities conducted by the NIS.

When the NIS stated at the meeting that "further audits need to be conducted," lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties reportedly criticized the slow progress.

The Intelligence Committee plans to hold a plenary session again on the 30th to receive additional reports from the NIS and discuss whether to process the 'Special Resolution on the Truth-Finding and Prevention of Recurrence of Illegal Surveillance by the NIS.'

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