(Korea Herald) – South Korea’s spy agency chief nominee on Monday pledged to keep the institution politically neutral at his confirmation hearing in response to criticism that the agency has often meddled in domestic politics.
Lee Byung-ho, 74, was picked by President Park Geun-hye to lead the National Intelligence Service last month in a partial Cabinet reshuffle. He is set to replace Lee Byung-ki, who will now serve as Park’s chief of staff.
But lawmakers from the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy raised concerns that Lee’s “right-leaning” political philosophy could steer the NIS toward political meddling again as the agency allegedly did during the 2012 presidential election.
Former NIS head Won Sei-hoon was found guilty by local courts of having led the spy agency in an online smear campaign against then-opposition presidential candidate Rep. Moon Jae-in, who now serves as the NPAD’s chair. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the case.
Lee vowed he would prioritize national security in his management of the NIS, and that he would prevent the agency from meddling in domestic politics.
“Accurate and timely intelligence serves as the cornerstone of national security. I will make sure that our institution does that job,” Lee said at his hearing.
“I consider political meddling by the NIS to be a dangerous proposition,” he added, in an apparent attempt to assuage the worries of NPAD lawmakers. “I do not wish to be remembered as a criminal in future history books.”
Lee is a member of the Korea Military Academy’s class of 1963, and a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He went on to serve in the spy agency until 1997 when he was picked to be Seoul’s ambassador to Malaysia. He taught at the University of Ulsan after his posting in Kuala Lumpur.
Lee, however, refused to answer opposition lawmakers’ questions on the controversial interpretation of the military coup by former President Park Chung-hee, late father of the current president.
“Do you agree that the May 16 coup, was a military rebellion?” NPAD Rep. Kim Kwang-jin asked Lee, referring to the 1961 coup led by Park Chung-hee.
“I have my own thoughts about that incident,” Lee answered, refusing to give a straightforward response.
Lawmakers from the governing Saenuri Party expressed support for Lee’s nomination, saying the former Army officer, intelligence agent, and diplomat had the “right credentials” to serve as the nation’s top spy.
