Government reviews reciprocal measures to U.S. ‘restriction on sharing North Korea-related intelligence’···no signs of ‘leak’ found in security review - 경향신문

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On the afternoon of the 20th, Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-yeong arrives at the Government Complex Seoul in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, after completing external engagements, and takes questions from reporters while heading to his office. Yonhap News

The government confirmed on the 20th that a security review conducted in relation to claims that Minister of Unification Jeong Dong-yeong referred to the existence of a nuclear facility in Kusong based on information provided by the United States found no indication that his remarks resulted from a leak of information provided by the United States. President Lee Jae Myung stated that “it is an obvious fact that, even before Minister Jeong made his remarks, the existence of the Kusong nuclear facility was already widely known worldwide through various papers and media reports.” The government also said that, regarding the United States partially restricting the sharing of North Korea-related intelligence by seizing on Minister Jeong’s remarks, it “may consider reciprocal measures.”

A government official told the Kyunghyang Shinmun that “we carried out an extensive security review regarding the remarks by Minister Jeong this time but found no indication that (information) was leaked from any relevant ministry.” The official added, “Although some of the information the United States provides to us is being restricted, we are supplementing it through other means, and there are no issues with North Korea information collection and monitoring.”

The official explained, “Some media outlets describe the volume of North Korea-related intelligence that the United States has currently halted sharing with us as around 50 to 100 pages, but that is not accurate.”

Another government official said, “While we receive some North Korea-related information from the United States, we also provide information to the United States, so the two sides have a mutually complementary relationship,” and added, “Accordingly, our side may also consider reciprocal measures in response to the action by the United States.”

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to India, said on X that “all claims and actions predicated on Minister Jeong having ‘leaked secrets provided by the United States’ are wrong.” He shared a media report titled ‘Trying to oust Jeong Dong-yeong, even holding South Korea·U.S. relations hostage? Jeong: “I cited open information multiple times… my sudden suspicion”’ and made the above comments. He added, “We need to look closely into why such an absurd situation is unfolding.”

Earlier, at a full session of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 6th of last month, Minister Jeong said North Korea is advancing its nuclear program and identified three locations where uranium enrichment facilities are operating: Yongbyon, Kangson, and Kusong. In addition to Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province, and Kangson District, Nampo Special City, which the government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have officially confirmed, he additionally mentioned Kusong City in North Pyongan Province. The United States reportedly viewed the basis for Minister Jeong’s remarks as information it had provided and, in protest, partially halted sharing of satellite intelligence on North Korea.

At the Government Complex Seoul that day, Minister Jeong told reporters, “I also mentioned Kusong at my (ministerial) confirmation hearing on July 14 last year. It is suspicious that after saying nothing at the time, this issue was raised nine months later,” and added, “They framed an explanation of policy on the seriousness of the North Korean nuclear issue as a leak of information.” He replied “I do not know” when asked whether those who drove the leak allegation were figures in the ruling camp or the United States. When asked whether the controversy arose from a conflict between so-called alliance advocates and self-reliance advocates, he said, “I do not think so.”

Regarding calls for his dismissal led by the opposition, Minister Jeong said, “The problem is that an explanation of policy based on open information was portrayed as an information leak,” adding, “Talk of responsibility does not add up.” He also said, “It is worrisome that some quarters are spreading claims of a South Korea·U.S. alliance crisis when there is no problem, even as the security environment is grave due to the Middle East war.”

On his Facebook and blog the same day, Minister Jeong said, “The claim of an information leak is absurd,” and added, “How could there be a leak when I did not receive a briefing?” He also said, “It is truly embarrassing to see some in the opposition and others inflate matters as if there were major differences between South Korea·U.S. positions in order to attack the government.”

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Tae-nyeon wrote on Facebook, “If even statements made during questions and answers at a National Assembly standing committee, about facts already widely known to the public, are to be taken issue with, that narrows the space for diplomacy and security debates by the Republic of Korea itself,” and urged, “The People Power Party should stop this low-grade political strife immediately.”

People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se wrote on Facebook that “Minister Jeong, who does nothing to help inter-Korean relations while only causing problems in relations with the United States, should be dismissed immediately.” People Power Party lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Park Chung-kwon also said Minister Jeong should be “dismissed immediately,” citing his remarks on scaling back South Korea·U.S. combined exercises and the dispute between the Ministry of Unification and the United Nations Command over access authorization to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).