[Editorial] He Received Information Whenever Occasion Called

Kwon Roh-Gap, former highest member of MDP revealed that he received the information from Kim Eun-Sung, former 2 vice-chief of National Intelligence Service (NIS).

We can make out how deep and close relations NIS has with the ruling party.

It disposes not only the power of Mr.Kwon, who was core member of the ruling party but also absurd aspect of NIS.

According to Mr.Kwon, former vice-chief Kim reported information relevant to Mr.Kwon as well as relationship between third son of President Kim, Honggul and Mr. Choi Gyu-Son, presently under arrest.

We can presume that former vice-chief Kim might have provided comprehensive information regarding politics, which NIS collected `on occasions`.

Mr. Kwon didn`t have any designation and right to receive information report form NIS officially.

He was the politician who was close to the President.

The second article of law of NIS regulates, `NIS belongs to the President and is supervised by the President` and the ninth article prohibits involvement of the politics.

And the 17th article of NIS regarding staff regulates `keeping secret` of staff especially.

Nevertheless, the one who was in the second highest position of NIS and should be supervised by the President, reported not to the President but to the politician on occasions.

It compromised national security and confused national dignity.

In the past military domination times, National Information Organization used to provide information regarding the opposition `in collusion with` the ruling party and the ruling party used to press the opposition based on the information.

The speech of Mr. Kwon showed that even current government, so called government of people, had such close relationship.

GNP insists that criticism of former leader, Lee Hoi Chang`s villa and `disposure` of member Seol-hoon of MDP, etc are based on support of some national information organization.

As it is election season, such dispute will increase.

National Information Organizations should keep their position.