NIS "No Plan to Replace Main Server This Year... Strong Regret"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 14th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) expressed regret over the opposition party's claims regarding the 'main server replacement,' stating that it is "a claim completely contrary to the facts."

The NIS stated, "There are no plans to replace or pursue the replacement of the main server this year," but added, "However, recently, there was an inquiry in the National Assembly regarding the NIS server replacement, and the NIS responded that it is currently promoting the 'server replacement and expansion project related to electronic document distribution for administrative agencies and website operation,' which is reflected in this year's budget."

The NIS said, "The claim that the NIS Chief of Staff admitted or responded to the replacement of the NIS main server costing 5 billion KRW, including internal reports and budget accounting, is completely untrue," and "The NIS strongly regrets this."

The NIS explained that the equipment server replacement and expansion work is conducted annually and sequentially according to the Durable Goods Management Act for outdated equipment whose lifespan has expired or whose performance has deteriorated. Regarding the opposition party's concerns about evidence destruction based on the NIS main server replacement, the NIS responded, "such a thing is even more impossible."

The NIS emphasized, "When replacing and expanding servers, relevant and related departments thoroughly review overall performance and security issues. All existing server data are transferred to the new servers, and the old servers are backed up, stored separately for a certain period, then initialized and disposed of," adding, "The destruction or omission of data is absolutely a criminal act."

The NIS expressed strong regret once again over the claims that seriously damage the honor of the NIS and its employees, who have been practicing political neutrality, and appealed, "please do not summon the NIS into politics."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Won Hee-ryong, head of the People Power Party's Policy Headquarters, held an emergency press conference at the Yeouido party office, stating, "The NIS is planning to replace the main server with a budget of 5 billion KRW," raising suspicions of evidence destruction.

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