Kim Tae-hyo on US surveillance and wiretapping suspicions: "No malicious circumstances found"

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, said on the 11th (local time) regarding the US surveillance allegations against the South Korean presidential office, "Currently, many parts of this issue involve third-party intervention, and there is no evidence that the US, as an ally, acted with any malice toward us."

On the same day, Kim made these remarks to reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington D.C. when asked about the spreading allegations of surveillance on South Korea due to the leak of classified US documents. Having arrived in the US, Kim will visit Washington D.C. for three nights and five days until the 15th to conduct pre-consultations between South Korea and the US for President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the US.

Kim also mentioned during his departure from Incheon International Airport the previous day, "The Republic of Korea and the US agree that a significant portion of the disclosed information is forged."

When asked if this meant that all the leaked US classified documents were fabricated, Kim replied, "There is the US Department of Defense's position, and an investigation is currently underway," adding, "In this confusing situation, we cannot speak rashly. What I said yesterday was confirmed by the US, and we will need to wait and see over time regarding the details."

When asked if the conversations involving former National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han in the leaked documents were fabricated, he said, "Please do not ask about that specifically," and added, "I said it in one word yesterday, and everything is implied in that," refraining from direct comments.

In response to a reporter's question, "From the general public's perspective, there are suspicions about the US conducting surveillance on its ally South Korea. Isn't there a need to resolve this?" Kim said, "As I mentioned yesterday, many parts of this issue involve third-party intervention. There is currently no evidence that the US, as an ally, acted with any malice toward us," and showed discomfort by saying, "If you want to ask about the same topic, I will leave. Is that okay?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Regarding the purpose of this visit to the US and his interlocutors, he said, "I will meet across security, diplomacy, and economic fields," adding, "(Specifically) who I meet with is subject to the other party's agreement. I ask for your understanding. I will have busy meetings over three days and hold in-depth consultations."

On the issue of coordinating the summit agenda, he said, "There are several important topics remaining in economic security issues, military security issues, and socio-cultural issues," adding, "We plan to finalize and resolve the last issues so that explanations are well made in a way that sufficiently satisfies the national interest and is easy for the public to understand."

When asked whether the summit results would enhance the credibility of the US extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threat, he answered, "I will do my best to ensure such an outcome."

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