NIS must be free from political influence
At a time when North Korea is ratcheting up its military threats on a daily basis, there is no doubt about the importance of the nation's spy agency. Yet public opinion about the National Intelligence Service (NIS) appears to be unfavorable, with widespread criticism that it weakened significantly during 10 years of two liberal governments and even during the preceding five years of conservative tenure, especially as far as intelligence on our reclusive neighboring state is concerned.
The NIS is reportedly ready to embark on a full-blown reform in keeping with the inauguration of its new director, Nam Jae-joon. The former Army chief of staff has already formed a task force to deal with the agency's organizational change and personnel reshuffle.
In particular, the alleged selection of an incumbent prosecutor to be the intelligence unit's inspection chief is seen as a move by Nam to speed up internal reform. This is the first time that an outside figure has been tapped for the post, which is tasked with internal inspections and disciplinary action, considering that big shots close to the director have been picked so far. This is interpreted as indicating that the new spy chief sees a broad-based reshuffle of key figures as his first reform measure.
Now the role of the NIS is more important than ever before. As Pyongyang escalates tension under its unique "salami tactics'' and an unexpected incident may erupt at any time, there is a desperate need for accurate intelligence on the isolated regime. Our businesspersons are also in need of "economic information'' that would help their businesses amid the ever intensifying global economic warfare.
But the NIS has been under fire for being either incompetent or politically biased. It was stunning that the spy agency was completely ignorant of the death of Kim Jong-il, the North's former leader and father of the incumbent young leader Jong-un, until the impoverished regime made an official announcement in late 2011.
In the run-up to last year's presidential election, a female NIS official was found to have engaged in a suspected smear campaign against the opposition candidate. Won Sei-hoon, Nam's predecessor, has been barred from leaving the country on suspicions of being involved in domestic politics. Given that the NIS denied allegations that Won violated his obligation to maintain political neutrality, the law enforcement agencies need to get to the bottom of the incidents and reveal the truth as soon as possible.
The new spy chief's most urgent task is to put the NIS back on track by strengthening the country's security posture in the face of mounting threats from North Korea, as he argued he would during his parliamentary confirmation hearing last month.
To this end, the retired general should do his utmost to make the NIS an intelligence unit free from political influence. Specifically, he has to craft a system that will ensure the agency's neutrality so that there should be no longer controversy over this outdated issue.
At a time when North Korea is ratcheting up its military threats on a daily basis, there is no doubt about the importance of the nation's spy agency. Yet public opinion about the National Intelligence Service (NIS) appears to be unfavorable, with widespread criticism that it weakened significantly during 10 years of two liberal governments and even during the preceding five years of conservative tenure, especially as far as intelligence on our reclusive neighboring state is concerned.
The NIS is reportedly ready to embark on a full-blown reform in keeping with the inauguration of its new director, Nam Jae-joon. The former Army chief of staff has already formed a task force to deal with the agency's organizational change and personnel reshuffle.
In particular, the alleged selection of an incumbent prosecutor to be the intelligence unit's inspection chief is seen as a move by Nam to speed up internal reform. This is the first time that an outside figure has been tapped for the post, which is tasked with internal inspections and disciplinary action, considering that big shots close to the director have been picked so far. This is interpreted as indicating that the new spy chief sees a broad-based reshuffle of key figures as his first reform measure.
Now the role of the NIS is more important than ever before. As Pyongyang escalates tension under its unique "salami tactics'' and an unexpected incident may erupt at any time, there is a desperate need for accurate intelligence on the isolated regime. Our businesspersons are also in need of "economic information'' that would help their businesses amid the ever intensifying global economic warfare.
But the NIS has been under fire for being either incompetent or politically biased. It was stunning that the spy agency was completely ignorant of the death of Kim Jong-il, the North's former leader and father of the incumbent young leader Jong-un, until the impoverished regime made an official announcement in late 2011.
In the run-up to last year's presidential election, a female NIS official was found to have engaged in a suspected smear campaign against the opposition candidate. Won Sei-hoon, Nam's predecessor, has been barred from leaving the country on suspicions of being involved in domestic politics. Given that the NIS denied allegations that Won violated his obligation to maintain political neutrality, the law enforcement agencies need to get to the bottom of the incidents and reveal the truth as soon as possible.
The new spy chief's most urgent task is to put the NIS back on track by strengthening the country's security posture in the face of mounting threats from North Korea, as he argued he would during his parliamentary confirmation hearing last month.
To this end, the retired general should do his utmost to make the NIS an intelligence unit free from political influence. Specifically, he has to craft a system that will ensure the agency's neutrality so that there should be no longer controversy over this outdated issue.
![[INTERVIEW] SpaceX's Starlink in Kyiv is wake-up call for Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/dc6a1a7c92114ec298cef2e3b8e04989.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
