Lawmaker urges South Korea to boost its own intelligence amid U.S. doubts
Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil warned that U.S. intelligence is not all-seeing and called for stronger South Korean intelligence capabilities.
During a parliamentary audit session at the military headquarters in Gyeryong, Democratic Party representative Song Young-gil, also President Lee Jae Myung's special adviser for peace diplomacy, asserted that U.S. intelligence is neither omniscient nor omnipotent. He highlighted the pivotal role of intelligence in determining a country's fate and advocated for South Korea to equip its military with independent intelligence assets and judgment.
Song stressed that, despite the strategic value of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the two nations' national interests can diverge. His comments were aimed at rebutting the People Power Party's claim that concerns over bilateral intelligence cooperation have weakened South Korea's readiness posture. Song was appointed as the president's special adviser on October 1.
Why it matters
The statement signals a push for greater South Korean intelligence autonomy, affecting security cooperation with the United States.
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