Why has the United States partially restricted South Korea’s access to North Korea-related intelligence?

Washington imposed partial restrictions in protest after South Korea’s unification minister disclosed information about one of North Korea’s nuclear facilities. The restrictions concern intelligence on North Korea-related technology.

What did South Korea’s National Intelligence Service say about the alleged Lutnick remark?

The NIS said it had received no information that Howard Lutnick made the alleged remark expressing dissatisfaction with the agency. It issued a notice to the press similar to the industry ministry’s denial.

Industry ministry denies report of Lutnick's dissatisfaction with spy agency

Q: What did South Korea’s industry ministry say about Howard Lutnick’s alleged criticism of the NIS?

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said it was not true that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed distrust of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service to Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan during strategic investment negotiations.

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Summary

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Friday denied in Seoul a report that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed distrust of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service during negotiations on strategic investment projects. The ministry said the claim was untrue and urged accurate reporting. The NIS separately said it had received no information about the alleged remark. Washington has partially restricted Seoul’s access to some North Korea-related intelligence since April.

Key Facts

The ministry said the report falsely claimed Lutnick conveyed Washington’s discontent with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service to Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan.
The National Intelligence Service issued a similar notice saying it had received no information about the alleged statement by Lutnick.
The ministry called on the newspaper to report accurately to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and confusion.
The United States partially restricted South Korea’s access to intelligence on North Korea-related technology after the unification minister disclosed information about one of the North’s nuclear facilities.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 9, 2026 11:45 am KST

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, left, looks on as US President Donald Trump makes an announcement on steel in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, Sept. 28. AFP-Yonhap

The industry ministry on Friday formally dismissed a local news report alleging U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had voiced dissatisfaction with South Korea's spy agency during bilateral negotiations on strategic investment projects.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources issued the denial in response to a local newspaper article claiming Lutnick had conveyed Washington's discontent with South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

"We clearly state that the claim that Commerce Secretary Lutnick expressed distrust of the NIS to Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan during negotiations on strategic investment projects in the U.S. is not true," the ministry said.

The ministry called on the newspaper to report accurately to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and confusion.

The NIS issued a similar notice to the press, saying it had received no information regarding the alleged remark by Lutnick.

Washington has partially restricted Seoul's access to intelligence on North Korea-related technology since April in protest against the unification minister's disclosure of information on one of the North's nuclear facilities.

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