National Intelligence Service Recruits Senior Managing Director of SERI as First Class

National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reportedly recruited Samsung Economic Research Institute (SERI)’s senior managing director Lee Eon-oh, 51, as a CIO (Chief Intelligence Officer), whose first-class position rivals that of the assistant secretary.

It is the first time for an official of a private economic research center to become a senior official of the intelligence agency.

The business circle and the NIS revealed on August 16 that the agency offered the job to Lee in its latest move to reinforce the human resource pool.

Lee recently resigned from his post at SERI to start his career at the NIS, and is known as a person who takes charge of domestic information affairs.

An official from the business circle said, “The government recognized Lee’s ability while he conducted policy-oriented research at SERI for a lengthy period. He’s scheduled to work with the NIS for two years on a contract basis, and most of his work will involve drawing blueprints for national strategies.”

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com