NIS Chief Nominee Lee Jongseok Says Espionage Act Revision Is Urgent

Written Response to Personnel Hearing

Lee Jongseok, nominee for Director of the National Intelligence Service, stated that it is urgent to amend the Espionage Act (Article 98 of the Criminal Act) to expand the scope of espionage from "enemy states" to "foreign countries."

In his written response to a personnel hearing submitted to the National Assembly, Lee answered a question from Lee Sungkwon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, saying, "Currently, there is no legal basis to punish acts of espionage committed for foreign countries other than enemy states, so it is urgent to revise the relevant laws and regulations."

He added, "In particular, the current situation, in which acts threatening national security such as leaking state secrets to foreign countries are detected but only result in lenient punishments, poses a significant threat to national security. Since related legislative amendments have been proposed and are under discussion, the National Intelligence Service plans to present its opinions during the legislative process."

Regarding recent inter-Korean relations, he said, "I am very concerned that North Korea has declared the 'theory of two hostile states,' thereby making the confrontation between the two Koreas a fait accompli and revealing its intention for permanent division. As the prolonged deadlock in inter-Korean relations increases the risk of armed conflict, it will be important to make efforts to ease mutual distrust and reduce tensions through dialogue."

He continued, "It is quite unusual, given North Korea's recent hardline stance toward the South, that North Korea promptly stopped its noise broadcasts in response to our suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts. We must closely monitor subsequent developments and redouble efforts to resume dialogue and communication."

He also stated, "Considering the history of inter-Korean relations and the characteristics of the North Korean regime, I believe the National Intelligence Service has a necessary role to play in negotiations between the two Koreas."

Yonhap News Agency

He emphasized that restoring the September 19 Military Agreement would be the most desirable way to ease inter-Korean tensions in the future. However, he also stressed that "if restoration is difficult, measures equivalent to the agreement are needed to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas."

Regarding internal developments in North Korea, Lee analyzed that while Kim Ju-ae appears to be receiving succession training on the surface, "it does not seem that she has been officially designated as a successor yet."

On Kim Il-sung of North Korea, he said, "He cannot be free from responsibility for the difficulties currently faced by North Korean residents and for being the main instigator of the Korean War." However, he added, "It is a historical fact that Kim Il-sung participated in the anti-Japanese partisan movement, so while we should critically assess North Korea's undemocratic, single-leader system and ideology, we must also acknowledge historical facts as they are."

Responding to some assessments that he is "pro-North Korea," he rebutted, "I absolutely cannot agree with the assessment that I am pro-North Korea simply because I have conducted in-depth research on North Korea and the Korean Peninsula."

He expressed opposition to the complete withdrawal of US Forces Korea, calling them "a key element of peace on the Korean Peninsula." Regarding the transfer of wartime operational control, he emphasized that it is "essential for securing our military sovereignty and independent defense capabilities."

Lee stated that over the past five years, he has paid a total of 730,000 won in fines for 16 violations, including speeding and signal violations.

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