By Jun Ji-hye
Nam Jae-joon, head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), released a statement on Wednesday claiming that the late former President Roh Moo-hyun negated the nation's northern sea border.
The statement came hours after rival parties decided to make public content of the original records of the 2007 inter-Korean summit between Roh and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to settle controversy surrounding the late Roh's comments on the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
This is not the first time that Nam has made a bold move. He declassified the summit minutes and released them late last month.
In Wednesday's statement that the NIS spokesman circulated to the press, Nam said: "According to the minutes, the late Roh never suggested that the South and North establish a joint fishing zone at equal distance with the NLL at the center."
"Joint fishing zones set at equal distances and areas" was what the DP says Roh suggested during the summit.
"If a joint management zone is built between the ceasefire line and Suwon, it is a clear abandonment of the nation's border," the statement said.
Nam added that his agency has set up its own task force for self-reform.
President Park Geun-hye on Monday said the spy agency needs to set up measures to reform itself.
The DP condemned Nam for the statement, saying it will file a complaint against him with the prosecution for circulating false information.
"The current situation is drifting as if Nam is the president and Park is the NIS head," said Hong Ihk-pyo, the DP spokesman, Thursday. "The NIS's statement is just ridiculous. We urge Nam to immediately admit that the statement contained false information and take back his words, otherwise we will take legal action."
Hong said that the DP has material accurately showing that Roh suggested joint fishing zones of equal distances and areas from the NLL to the South and North.
"Nam will have to check what the facts are by asking Kim Jang-soo, then defense minister who is now President Park's national security chief," Hong said.
The DP previously brought two accusations against Nam for releasing excerpts of the summit dialogue and the full text, claiming that this was a violation of the Presidential Record Management Law.
"The NIS broke its political neutrality and independence. The agency is now showing that it has completely lost all rationality," said DP floor leader Jun Byung-hun.
Jun demanded that President Park speak out about the NIS's "rash behavior" and say whether it was her intention or not.
"President Park surely needs to sack Nam and other related officials and make a public apology."
Bae Jae-jeung, DP spokeswoman, said the public became afraid that there is a strong connection between the NIS and President Park.
Some members from the ruling party also said they do not understand why Nam made the decision to release the controversial statement at this stage when the two parties are seeking an "exit strategy" to end the long-debated controversy involving Roh.
"The NIS is an intelligence agency, not an administrative institute that could make a judgment on whether Roh gave up the borderline or not," said Ha Tae-keung of the ruling party.
"Strictly speaking, the presidential office for national security is responsible for such judgment. The NIS has no right to say conclusively that it was true that Roh disavowed the NLL. The NIS exceeds its authority."
Ha said the agency rekindled controversy surrounding the NLL.
"In this regard, the NIS conducted wholly inappropriate behavior and Nam deserves to step down from the position," said Ha.
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| NIS chief Nam Jae-joon |
The statement came hours after rival parties decided to make public content of the original records of the 2007 inter-Korean summit between Roh and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to settle controversy surrounding the late Roh's comments on the Northern Limit Line (NLL).
This is not the first time that Nam has made a bold move. He declassified the summit minutes and released them late last month.
In Wednesday's statement that the NIS spokesman circulated to the press, Nam said: "According to the minutes, the late Roh never suggested that the South and North establish a joint fishing zone at equal distance with the NLL at the center."
"Joint fishing zones set at equal distances and areas" was what the DP says Roh suggested during the summit.
"If a joint management zone is built between the ceasefire line and Suwon, it is a clear abandonment of the nation's border," the statement said.
Nam added that his agency has set up its own task force for self-reform.
President Park Geun-hye on Monday said the spy agency needs to set up measures to reform itself.
The DP condemned Nam for the statement, saying it will file a complaint against him with the prosecution for circulating false information.
"The current situation is drifting as if Nam is the president and Park is the NIS head," said Hong Ihk-pyo, the DP spokesman, Thursday. "The NIS's statement is just ridiculous. We urge Nam to immediately admit that the statement contained false information and take back his words, otherwise we will take legal action."
Hong said that the DP has material accurately showing that Roh suggested joint fishing zones of equal distances and areas from the NLL to the South and North.
"Nam will have to check what the facts are by asking Kim Jang-soo, then defense minister who is now President Park's national security chief," Hong said.
The DP previously brought two accusations against Nam for releasing excerpts of the summit dialogue and the full text, claiming that this was a violation of the Presidential Record Management Law.
"The NIS broke its political neutrality and independence. The agency is now showing that it has completely lost all rationality," said DP floor leader Jun Byung-hun.
Jun demanded that President Park speak out about the NIS's "rash behavior" and say whether it was her intention or not.
"President Park surely needs to sack Nam and other related officials and make a public apology."
Bae Jae-jeung, DP spokeswoman, said the public became afraid that there is a strong connection between the NIS and President Park.
Some members from the ruling party also said they do not understand why Nam made the decision to release the controversial statement at this stage when the two parties are seeking an "exit strategy" to end the long-debated controversy involving Roh.
"The NIS is an intelligence agency, not an administrative institute that could make a judgment on whether Roh gave up the borderline or not," said Ha Tae-keung of the ruling party.
"Strictly speaking, the presidential office for national security is responsible for such judgment. The NIS has no right to say conclusively that it was true that Roh disavowed the NLL. The NIS exceeds its authority."
Ha said the agency rekindled controversy surrounding the NLL.
"In this regard, the NIS conducted wholly inappropriate behavior and Nam deserves to step down from the position," said Ha.
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