The abrupt resignation of a high-ranking official at the National Intelligence Service raised speculation Wednesday that the spy agency could soon face sweeping reform.
According to reports, Lee Heon-soo, head of the NIS’ strategic planning office, has recently offered to resign without giving a clear reason.
Some in the ruling Saenuri Party and at the agency said that he left the post simply because he had reached the age of retirement ― 60.
But some other Saenuri members claimed that he had been under pressure to resign from Cheong Wa Dae as President Park Geun-hye pushes to overhaul the intelligence agency.
The NIS has suffered from public distrust after a string of political scandals. The nation’s top spy agency has been accused of interfering in the 2012 presidential election, revealing a transcript of a 2007 inter-Korean summit and fabricating court evidence in an espionage scandal. The series of scandals led to President Park replacing former NIS chief Nam Jae-joon in June. Lee was appointed while Nam was in office.
The head of the strategic planning office has been regarded as a core post in the spy organization, as it manages budget and personnel. Traditionally, the post was filled by a figure close to presidential aides and politicians who contributed in the launch of a new government. Many of them remained in the post after turning 60.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
