Yoon's US Visit Finalized by Kim Tae-hyo: "Many US Surveillance Suspicion Information Fabricated" (Summary)

Coordination of Agenda for Korea-US Summit during 5-Day US Visit
"Contents in Documents Do Not Match Facts Regarding Korea"
Strengthening Information Sharing with US... Trust Expected to Increase

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, stated on the 11th regarding the U.S. eavesdropping allegations, "There is a consensus (between South Korea and the U.S.) that a significant portion of the disclosed information is forged." The Presidential Office views the Korea-related content in the recently released documents as inconsistent with the facts and plans to further strengthen information sharing between the two countries.

Deputy Director Kim made these remarks to reporters while departing through Incheon International Airport for a visit to the U.S. that morning. He said, "There was a call between the South Korean and U.S. defense ministers this morning." From the 11th to the 15th, he will visit Washington D.C. for three nights and five days to conduct preliminary consultations between South Korea and the U.S. in preparation for President Yoon Seok-yeol's state visit to the U.S.

He added, "After this (eavesdropping) issue became known, we conducted an internal assessment, and the U.S. likely conducted its own investigation as well. However, since this is a domestic issue for the U.S., the Department of Justice will begin investigating the circumstances and the forces behind it, so it will take some time." Currently, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are conducting investigations related to the leak of classified documents and the validity of the documents at the request of the Department of Defense.

With the leak of classified documents containing evidence that U.S. intelligence agencies eavesdropped on the Presidential Office, there was speculation that discussions between the two countries would take place during Deputy Director Kim’s visit to the U.S. However, Kim stated, "Since someone forged these documents, it is not a matter for discussion," and "That is not the purpose of my visit." Given the special circumstances of the international security landscape, including the Ukraine war, and the timing of the leak, the focus is on the possibility of information manipulation by certain forces, and priority is placed on verifying the authenticity and context of the leaked documents.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Director Kim also made it clear that the U.S. eavesdropping controversy cannot become a variable in the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He explained, "The U.S. has the world’s strongest intelligence agencies, and the two countries have shared information in almost all areas for 11 months since the inauguration," adding, "Because we conduct important intelligence activities together, gaining and utilizing the capabilities and capacities of the U.S. is a great asset, and I believe this opportunity will further strengthen the trust between the two countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office is actively clarifying the issue as the U.S. eavesdropping controversy has expanded again amid disputes over the relocation of the Presidential Office to Yongsan. In a press notice to reporters that morning, the Presidential Office stated, "The Yongsan Presidential Office is a military facility and has established and operates a much more reinforced eavesdropping prevention system than the former Blue House," adding, "Unlike the Blue House era when the President’s office, secretariat, and security office were scattered, the current office maintains 'ironclad security' through an integrated security system and dedicated personnel. We clearly state that the Yongsan Presidential Office eavesdropping allegations are baseless and false," countering the Democratic Party’s wiretapping accusations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Kim plans to discuss the schedule, including the South Korea-U.S. summit on the 26th of this month (local time), aligned with the theme of President Yoon’s state visit to the U.S., "An Action-Oriented South Korea-U.S. Alliance Moving Toward the Future," with the U.S. side. In particular, he will finalize coordination on summit agenda items such as the CHIPS and Science Act (CSA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and strengthening extended deterrence in response to North Korea’s nuclear threat.

Deputy Director Kim also intends to exchange views on various issues, including cooperation on North Korea, economic security, and regional and global matters. He said, "There are specific topics across economic security, military security, and sociocultural areas, but I cannot disclose the issues in advance," adding, "We will coordinate well to ensure there are no gaps and that the content reflecting national interests and the public’s wishes is communicated clearly."

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