On Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol approved the resignation of the head of the intelligence agency and his two deputies, as confirmed by his office.
No specific reasons for the resignations were provided by Yoon’s office, although local media accounts have indicated issues during prior personnel reshuffles at the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Kim Kyou-hyun, a seasoned diplomat with expertise in U.S. and North Korea affairs, had been overseeing the NIS since Yoon’s assumption of office in May 2022.
Yoon’s office announced that two senior NIS officials were appointed to immediately take over the deputy positions. The nomination of the next director, contingent upon a parliamentary confirmation hearing, has yet to be announced by Yoon.
“Director Kim worked to reestablish the status of the NIS as the nation’s top security intelligence agency during a government change, and build a collaboration system with intelligence agencies of friendly countries,” Yoon’s office said in a statement.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by William Mallard)
