Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Spy chief nominee rejects 'pro-North Korea' label
Lee Jong-seok, the nominee to lead the National Intelligence Service, speaks during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
Lee Jong-seok calls for revision to anti-espionage law
Lee Jong-seok, the nominee to lead the National Intelligence Service (NIS), pushed back against claims that he is pro-North Korea, Thursday, saying he would serve with a pragmatic approach focused on national interests.
"I don’t quite understand why my past remarks would be considered pro-North Korea," Lee said during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.
His comments came in response to a question from Rep. Song Eon-seok of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), who referenced Lee's past statements opposing the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan.
"When someone like this becomes the head of the NIS, it raises concerns about whether the agency can protect our nation or become something like a liaison office for North Korea," Song said.
Lee had also rejected the label in a written statement submitted ahead of the hearing. "Labeling me as pro-North simply because I have conducted in-depth research on North Korea and the Korean Peninsula is completely unfounded," he wrote.
A longtime North Korea researcher, Lee was one of the policy advisers behind the Sunshine Policy during the 1998-2003 Kim Dae-jung administration that sought peaceful engagement with Pyongyang. He later served as unification minister under President Roh Moo-hyun. He has visited North Korea 13 times both during and outside his government career.
His nomination to lead the spy agency has sparked speculation that, under President Lee Jae Myung's administration, the NIS may play an expanded role in engaging with North Korea.
During the hearing, Lee also refuted criticism of his foreign policy stance.
Some opposition lawmakers accused him of siding with the so-called "autonomy" faction, which advocates for South Korea's independent diplomatic path rather than relying too heavily on its main ally, the United States. This view clashes with the mainstream stance held by traditionalists who believe the Seoul-Washington alliance should remain the foundation of South Korea's foreign policy.
"I’ve never belonged to either camp," Lee said. "During my career in government, I’ve always focused on what best serves the national interest. But when you do that, you end up getting criticized from both sides."
If appointed, Lee vowed to strengthen the NIS' intelligence capabilities on North Korea, to support the administration's efforts to build peace on the peninsula.
Kaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, is seen from an observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, near the border with North Korea, Thursday. Yonhap
Regarding the much-debated anti-espionage law, Lee called for revising it to apply not only to North Korea but to other foreign countries as well.
"The anti-espionage law must be revised as soon as possible," Lee said in response to a question from Rep. Park Ji-won of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. "To properly protect our national interests, we need a law that can punish hostile acts committed by various countries against us."
Under the current law, espionage is defined as activity that "benefits an enemy," and is punishable by seven years to life imprisonment, or the death penalty. However, the law only designates North Korea as the sole enemy state, meaning it does not apply to espionage conducted on behalf of other nations.
Calls to revise the law have intensified in recent years following several cases involving Chinese nationals accused of filming South Korean military facilities. Law enforcement officials were unable to bring espionage charges in those cases, exposing what critics described as a major legal loophole.
Lee's confirmation hearing was held partly behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of intelligence-related matters. Only the review of his personal background and ethical standards was open to the public.
The National Assembly is expected to adopt the confirmation hearing report as early as Friday, if no serious objections are raised. But Lee's formal appointment does not require endorsement from the Assembly.