President Moon pledges to guarantee political neutrality of intel agency
- 6 years ago
President Moon Jae-in dropped by the National Intelligence Agency on Friday.
While there, he vowed to never use the organization for his own political gain, the way his predecessor did.
Cha Sang-mi reports.
Addressing the intelligence agency's employees on Friday, President Moon Jae-in pledged to (quote) "never contaminate the National Intelligence Service with politics" and clearly guarantee the political neutrality of the agency.
"You've done well so far, but there's still a long way to go. You should clean your hands of any domestic policy or political meddling. Focus your skillset on North Korean and foreign information to build a pure national intelligence agency."
He said the nation cannot simply rely on good will to achieve such a goal, instead pushing for the institutionalization of non-partisan policies.
President Moon reiterated that their loyalty is not to a president or their administration, but to the people represented by the sitting president and their Cabinet.
He was also briefed on the NIS' ongoing programs which include efforts to correct its past wrongdoings such as swaying public opinion... by manipulating comments on top online news articles and meddling in domestic political affairs.
According to the top office, President Moon was also informed of a reshuffle within the agency, which includes hiring experts from outside the government and promoting female staff to senior roles.
The agency also reported that it will prepare for growing security threats, realigned world orders and predicting the next 20 years under the so-called fourth industrial revolution.
Although Friday's briefing marked the first official report from the NIS since President Moon took office in May 2017, the agency has been working closely with the Blue House National Security Office in its engagements with North Korea.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.
While there, he vowed to never use the organization for his own political gain, the way his predecessor did.
Cha Sang-mi reports.
Addressing the intelligence agency's employees on Friday, President Moon Jae-in pledged to (quote) "never contaminate the National Intelligence Service with politics" and clearly guarantee the political neutrality of the agency.
"You've done well so far, but there's still a long way to go. You should clean your hands of any domestic policy or political meddling. Focus your skillset on North Korean and foreign information to build a pure national intelligence agency."
He said the nation cannot simply rely on good will to achieve such a goal, instead pushing for the institutionalization of non-partisan policies.
President Moon reiterated that their loyalty is not to a president or their administration, but to the people represented by the sitting president and their Cabinet.
He was also briefed on the NIS' ongoing programs which include efforts to correct its past wrongdoings such as swaying public opinion... by manipulating comments on top online news articles and meddling in domestic political affairs.
According to the top office, President Moon was also informed of a reshuffle within the agency, which includes hiring experts from outside the government and promoting female staff to senior roles.
The agency also reported that it will prepare for growing security threats, realigned world orders and predicting the next 20 years under the so-called fourth industrial revolution.
Although Friday's briefing marked the first official report from the NIS since President Moon took office in May 2017, the agency has been working closely with the Blue House National Security Office in its engagements with North Korea.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.