Restore the cracked discipline at spy agency

President Yoon Suk Yeol removed top ranks in Korea’s spy agency National Intelligence Service (NIS) — its head Kim Kyou-hyun and his two deputies Kwon Chun-taek and Kim Soo-youn, in charge of overseas intelligence and North Korea-related intelligence, respectively. It was Yoon’s first decision as soon as he arrived from his state visit to Britain and trip to France to campaign for Busan World Expo 2030. Given the irksome in-house feud, the replacement of the chief spy was foreseeable. But the rare synchronous dismissal of the entire leadership comes at a time when the belligerence and threat of North Korea have hit new heights after its successful launch of a military reconnaissance satellite.

The NIS has been under fire multiple times since Yoon took office in May last year. The deputy in charge of appointment and budget of the spy agency, Cho Sang-jun, resigned in October last year for suspicious reasons after just four months in office. In June, an appointment outline on senior-ranking officials at the NIS the president approved was even reversed to promote those close to the NIS head appointed by the president. Rumors spread that the NIS director was waging a power struggle with his first deputy. Such internal strife cannot be tolerated in an agency responsible for state intelligence.

Yoon has stood by his choice, Kim Kyou-hyun, throughout the controversies. The president may have decided the house disorder cannot be condoned anymore. The reprimand, in fact, comes too late, given the embarrassing exposure of the power struggle and appointment system in the spy agency.

South Korea has witnessed how Israel — armed with the world’s best military and intelligence power — easily came under the surprise attack by Palestine militant group Hamas, causing 1,400 deaths, including civilians. Much blame went to the Israeli spy agency, whose intelligence and judgment function had been impaired by internal strife among groups with different political stances. There is no guarantee that Korea can avoid such a critical dysfunction of the spy agency.

The new NIS chief, whose appointment requires legislative approval, is yet to be named. Special adviser to the NIS and former Korean Ambassador to Britain Hong Jang-won will assume the post as the first deputy and acting head of NIS until a new chief arrives. The vacuum should be as short as possible. North Korea not only advanced nuclear and missile capabilities, but also has successfully launched a spy satellite. South Korea cannot afford a spy agency in disarray.

The NIS must overhaul itself first. It must return to its motto to “serve in the shadow to light the way forward” and unite to rearm itself against escalating security threats and regain public confidence.