Spy agency under pressure to reform By Kim Tae-gyu Public calls are mounting for reform at the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to prevent the recurrence of alleged intervention in elections. Political watchers point out that the NIS needs structural reform so it will be able to distance itself from politics without regard to who is in the presidency. “First of all, the relevant law on the NIS should be changed to deprive it of the right to investigate domestic affairs. Otherwise, the agency could be tempted to butt into politics again in the future,” said an activist from a local civic group, the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy. “More fundamentally, it should be overseen by some outside office because currently the NIS lacks an external monitor system. Otherwise, similar cases are likely to happen.” Former NIS Director Won Sei-hoon was indicted last Friday on charges that he violated the National Election Law, which bars government officials from interfering in elections. He is also accused of breaking a separate law, which bars intelligence agents from engaging in domestic politics. Won allegedly created and oversaw an online operation team under the pretext of cracking down on pro-North Korean activities in cyberspace. But more often than not, the team tried to undermine the election campaigns of opposition parties, according to prosecutors. A total of nine agents on the team allegedly wrote more than 5,000 posting on the Internet since 2009 and many of them were assailing opposition parties and their candidates. Some observers have even called for the abolition of the NIS department in charge of domestic issues. Instead, they claim the service is required to deal with just overseas affairs such as collecting intelligence on foreign nations. “The measures proposed to reform the NIS may be different but the consensus is that it should be changed after all,” said a Seoul analyst who asked not to be named. “It may scrap some departments at issue or may have to come under the oversight of outside auditors. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to secure political neutrality.” In response, Cheong Wa Dae said it is ready to take action. “The dispute on the political neutrality and independence of law enforcement entities and news agencies has always been an issue,” a presidential official told reporters Monday. “What really matters is the willingness to impose any proposed improvements and President Park Geun-hye is willing to do so.” He insinuated that there would be no legislative efforts to reshape the NIS, saying that the present laws and regulations on the NIS have no problems. “With regard to the requests of Rep. Moon Jae-in from the main opposition Democratic Party, President Park is well aware of them.” Moon, who was Park’s chief rival during the presidential election last December, said Sunday that the President should make efforts so the NIS and prosecution can be truly neutral. However, he rebuffed requests that Park’s presidency should be nullified because allegedly she won the election with the “unlawful assistance of the NIS.” Former NIS Director Won reportedly faces other suspicions that he helped a small-sized builder in Incheon win a project from a state-backed electricity company. Won, a close aide of former President Lee Myung-bak, has been investigated for allegedly taking bribes from the jailed chief of Hwangbo Construction in return for influence peddling to help the firm win the construction contract.