Intelligence Agency Completes Major Reshuffle

A major reshuffle of the National Intelligence Service reportedly ended last week, with a shakeup of staff in charge of overseas intelligence.

A government official told The Dong-A Ilbo over the phone yesterday, “I heard that the personnel reshuffle spearheaded by National Intelligence Service Director Won Sei-hoon was completed after 40 officials at the overseas intelligence department were replaced last week,” adding, “The gradual shakeups of intelligence officials at the domestic and North Korea departments have also been completed.”

“The extensive reshuffle of the overseas department included officials who were recently dispatched to missions abroad. The personnel shake-up was finalized as a whole. Additional reshuffles will continue, however.”

Experts said the reshuffle was conducted to prevent a recurrence of the mistake made by former spy chief Kim Sung-ho, who failed to take control of the organization. The presidential office appointed Won to maintain a firm grip on the agency, and the reshuffle is also in line with Won’s pledge to reform the agency.