hankyoreh

By Park Hyun, Washington correspondent

In an interview with the Hankyoreh, Stephen Kim denied all of the charges of leaking state secrets brought against him by the US Justice Department. The interview took place last week over email.

Hankyoreh (Hani): The US Justice Department charged you with violating the Espionage Act, which most Americans assume is used to prosecute spies. What do you say to these charges?

Stephen Kim (Kim): I am not being accused of being a spy. While the law is called the Espionage Act, the Justice Department is using it to arrest people who leak state secrets to the media. I served my country faithfully, and I did not do anything that against the US’s national interest. In my job I always tried to make sure government officials had the most accurate information they needed as they determined foreign policy.

Hani: I heard that James Rosen, the Fox News reporter, also approached high-ranking government officials around the same time. Why do you think that the Justice Department targeted you?

Kim: It is common knowledge in Washington that people in high-ranking positions talk to the press every day and leak classified information without being prosecuted. I don’t know, and I can’t understand, why they chose to investigate me and treat me like a criminal and why they accused me of illegal acts. I didn’t do what they said I did. It is very unjust.

Hani: What kind of work did you usually do?

Kim: After I received my Ph.D., I didn’t stay in academia but instead chose another path. I analyzed military operations and I dealt with the issue of nuclear deterrence for a long time. After that, I was put in charge of dealing with the issue of nuclear weapons. I was given clearance to access the highest level of classified information. I was asked to give briefings to top government officials. Some of the people who were interested in my views were Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state George Schultz, former national security advisor Steven Hadley, and former vice president Dick Cheney.

Hani: How has this case changed your life?

Kim: This has been a huge blow for me and for my entire family. I had to give up a job that I had liked. It also destroyed my marriage. My family had to spend all of the money they had saved up and even sell their house to pay my legal fees. I hardly have any remaining assets. Being brought to court and knowing that people believe I did something I didn’t actually do is a hurtful and painful experience. You cannot imagine what it‘s like to be charged with a crime you didn’t commit.

Hani: What are you planning to do now?

Kim: No matter how difficult it may be, I am prepared to do everything that I can do. It is not just for the Justice Department to invest so much of its assets in this case. They have dozens of lawyers working on this. But I’m going to keep going. I want people to believe me when I say that I didn’t do what they said I did. I want to find something meaningful that I can do and I want to be able to take care of my family. I hope that you will help me be able to keep up the fight.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]