Debate over Provision in Natl. Security Law

During the first-ever National Assembly confirmation hearing for the post of National Intelligence Service (NIS) director on Tuesday, Ko Young-koo said: "It is difficult to divide the intelligence agency into two parts –one with a domestic function and one with a foreign affairs function- and even if it is divided, a committee to mediate between these two functions is required."

He noted that the overseas function under the first vice-chief and domestic function under the second vice-chief would continue as was previous.

Mr. Ko is reported to be considering abolition of the anti-communist policy office under the second vice-chief, a source of controversy because of the office’s interference in domestic politics.

"There are certain items that should be reported to the president as soon as possible,” said Mr. Ko, regarding the intelligence chief’s one-on-one briefings with the president. “There should be additional channels between the president and the NIS chief, beyond the regular briefings."

He also expressed opposition to the abolition of investigative rights in intelligence-security affairs related to government ministries.

At the hearing, ruling and opposition lawmakers and Mr. Ko exchanged words on whether to revise the existing National Security Law and the scope of his career vision for NIS reform.

Mr. Ko`s idea of removing a provision in the National Security Law labeling any entity on the Korean Peninsula that claims a government title as an anti-state body was blasted by both ruling and opposition lawmakers.

"In the current situation, where North Korea is occupying some of the peninsula forcibly, his ideas are not proper," they stated.

Rep. Jung Hyung-geun of the opposition Grand National Party, and Rep. Ham Seung-hee of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party questioned Mr. Ko`s nomination to head the nation’s top intelligence agency. They cited the fact that he previously waged a campaign for the release of Kim Nak-jung, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on espionage charges. Mr. Ko had also been part of an organization declared an anti-state body by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Ko, a former human rights lawyer, said that he did not work for the release of Kim Nak-jung nor was he part of the alleged anti-state organization, denying the Supreme Court ruling, and that from now on he would put national security first.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jung suspected that given that Mr. Ko`s office and former NIS Chief Lim Dong-won`s office are located in the same building, the two have had consultations in preparation for the independent counsel investigation.

Regarding Rep. Jung`s suspicions, Mr. Ko said that he did not know about Lim’s office and that he has never met the former chief since being nominated.

Yeon-Wook Jung Sung-Won Park jyw11@donga.com swpark@donga.com