PPP blames minister remarks for intel curbs

The People Power Party on Sunday said the United States scaled back intelligence sharing with South Korea following remarks by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young about a “constituent uranium enrichment facility.”

Lee Seong-kwon, the main opposition’s ranking member on the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, said Washington detected "unusual signs” in late March. Speaking to reporters after a committee session, he said partial restrictions were put in place in early April and have remained in effect for nearly a month.

“The United States clearly views Minister Chung’s remarks as a disclosure of sensitive information that must be jointly managed by South Korea and the U.S.,” Lee said. He added that South Korean intelligence authorities conducted a security review of the Ministry of Unification, including Chung, a move he said had been confirmed through multiple channels.

Lee also said information related to North Korea is classified as top secret and jointly handled by intelligence and military authorities in both countries.

Asked about the gap between Chung’s March 6 remarks and the reported restrictions in early April, Lee said there had been no other incident that would have prompted Washington’s response. “It is clear the U.S. side expressed strong dissatisfaction,” he said. “The connection is evident, as our intelligence authorities launched a security probe into the ministry. Minister Chung’s remarks and conduct ultimately led to a setback in intelligence sharing between South Korea and the U.S.”

The Intelligence Committee adjourned without substantive discussion after lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and officials from the National Intelligence Service failed to attend.

In a statement, People Power Party members of the committee criticized the absence, saying, “Despite the seriousness of the issue, the Democratic Party and the National Intelligence Service refused to attend without explanation. Are they avoiding the session out of deference to President Lee Jae-myung, who has defended Minister Chung?” They added that the starting point for resolving the Chung Dong-young issue is his dismissal.


이채완 chaewani@donga.com