GNP submits revision of National Intelligence Service Law

The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) submitted a revision bill of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Law to the National Assembly on Wednesday, authorizing not only the Assembly Intelligence Committee but also the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts to deliberate on the budget program for the NIS. The GNP also presented to the Assembly a bill calling for the abolition of the special budget accounting law.

The GNP-proposed NIS revision bill also stipulated that the NIS should submit reports to the Assembly on the nature of and basis for budget outlays for the NIS in the areas of ordinary operating expenditures, intelligence funds and secret operation funds.

Rep. Mok Yo-Sang, chief policymaker of the GNP, said in a party caucus that the current special budget account law adopts the aggregated compilation system concerning reserve funds and thus prevents the Assembly from conducting transparent budget deliberations. Therefore, he said, the GNP would deliberate on the two revision bills, along with the 2001 budget bill.

Contending that the NIS was only supporting the ruling power, while neglecting its proper function of maintaining national security, Mok said the party plans to drastically cut unnecessary budget outlays earmarked for its special operations and confidential funds.