Defense Ministry refutes Democratic Party's 'security incident' claim: "First Deputy Director of Security can access SI"

Kim Byung-joo, head of the West Sea Civil Servant Death Incident Task Force of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding the 4th meeting of the West Sea Civil Servant Death Incident Task Force on the 7th at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Myung-Hwan Lee] The Democratic Party of Korea's task force (TF) on the West Sea civil servant death incident claimed that Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, caused a security breach by unauthorized access to the military's Special Intelligence (SI). In response, the Ministry of National Defense issued an unusual official statement denying the claim.

On the 15th, the Ministry of National Defense distributed a statement titled "Position on the Democratic Party TF Announcement" to the press, clarifying that the so-called "SI security breach" mentioned in the Democratic Party TF's press conference was not true.

The Ministry explained the Democratic Party TF's claim by stating, "The first deputy director of the National Security Office holds an SI position or role, and from the time of appointment, is authorized to access SI secrets." This means that the SI access right is automatically granted to the first deputy director of the Security Office. Earlier, the Democratic Party TF criticized Kim Tae-hyo for receiving reports related to the West Sea civil servant killing without having SI handling authorization, calling it a serious security breach.

The Ministry further explained that at the time, a National Defense Intelligence Agency official obtained approval from the SI secret handling authorization holder before briefing the first deputy director of the Security Office on the West Sea civil servant killing incident.

Regarding the Democratic Party TF's criticism that 12 employees of the Board of Audit and Inspection were granted SI authorization en masse, labeling it a security breach, the Ministry emphasized that the authorization was granted following proper standards and procedures after receiving a provisional SI authorization request from the Board of Audit and Inspection.

Additionally, the Ministry rebutted the Democratic Party TF's claims that there was no analysis by the Ministry of National Defense during the process of reversing the 'presumed defection to North Korea' judgment of the West Sea civil servant, and that the Ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff's intelligence assessment still maintains the 'presumed defection' status.

The Ministry stated, "Before the press release last month, we comprehensively reviewed existing materials such as internal Ministry of National Defense reports at the time of the incident, NSC (National Security Council) and relevant ministerial meeting documents, National Assembly-related materials, operational progress, and the Coast Guard's investigation status to organize the Ministry's position." It emphasized, "The Democratic Party TF mentioned as if the Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff were the main parties making the defection judgment, but this is not true." It added, "The final judgment on defection should be made by investigative agencies, comprehensively considering physical evidence secured through investigations, including military intelligence."

Regarding the Democratic Party TF's characterization of the Coast Guard and Ministry of National Defense's announcements as a "thoroughly planned operation by the National Security Office," the Ministry explained, "In connection with the Coast Guard's information disclosure lawsuit appeal withdrawal and investigation closure related to the West Sea civil servant killing incident, the Ministry internally reviewed whether additional explanations were necessary at the Ministry level." It continued, "We judged it necessary to inform the bereaved families and the public of the accurate facts and proposed to the Minister to proceed with the press release."

A Ministry of National Defense official said, "Regardless of political affiliation, we distributed the position statement because it is necessary to correct inaccurate information."

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