hankyoreh

at the National Assembly

“If there’s a conflict between the interests of the US and this country, I’m only going to think of the Republic of Korea. Why should I think of the US’s interests?”

An unusual question-and-answer exchange took place on Mar. 16 at a hearing for Lee Byung-ho’s nomination to head South Korea’s top intelligence agency. The 75-year-old Lee, who was tapped as director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stressed his “confidence that my national view and patriotism will never waver.” But a look at his household is enough to show why someone whose job would put top national secrets in his hands would have to repeatedly affirm his patriotism.

A total of seven family members, including three sons, daughter-in-law, and six grandchildren, either hold citizenship (four) or permanent residency (three) in the United States. This amounts to more than half the 12 members of his family - not including Lee and his wife - who are either US citizens or the closest thing to it.

Some argue that dual nationality shouldn’t be an issue in a global era, and they do have a point. The question is whether there is truly no issue in the case of senior officials whose job requires them to prioritize the national interest. This goes some way in explaining why the Hankyoreh‘s reports on the nationality issue for Lee’s family members was greeted by harsh online criticisms. “He’d be a better fit heading the CIA,” wrote one commenter. “I’d rather have Bruce Willis heading the NIS,” wrote another.

The direction of Lee’s patriotic sympathies has been well established. In 2013, he told a monthly magazine that the Sunshine Policy “dealt a death blow to the NIS’s identity as an intelligence agency,” explaining that “North Korea suddenly went from being a security threat to a ‘partner in engagement.’” The Sunshine Policy was carried out by former Presidents Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003) and Roh Moo-hyun (2003-2008) to provide aid to North Korea and increase inter-Korean cooperation and exchange.

Fears that an ideological lens on security could raise inter-Korean tensions were borne out with the fate of the Park Geun-hye administration’s first NIS director, former military man Nam Jae-joon. Lee later apologized, saying his remarks were “not well considered.” But serious questions remain about what kind of role can be expected as NIS director from someone whose remarks raised inter-Korean tensions while his family members resided overseas.

Lee’s second son and his family live in the US, while his oldest son and his family work or go to school in Hong Kong.

“I’m sure both the US and the Chinese governments are aware of the nationality issue for Mr. Lee’s family members,” said one opposition lawmaker during the hearing. “This is a point of concern.”

Lee did not reply to the remarks.

Regarding the citizenship decisions of his dual-nationality grandchildren, Lee responded, “How is that a matter for parents to decide? It’s their [the grandchildren’s] own decision.”

He went on to say he “intends to encourage them to choose South Korea.” That appears to be exactly where patriotism stops for this country’s top officials.

By Kim Kyu-nam, staff reporter

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