Lee Jae-myung taps veteran inter-Korean officials for top ROK security posts | NK News
NK News Logo
June 26, 2025Jun 26, 2025
NK News Logo

Get behind the headlines
News

Lee Jae-myung taps veteran inter-Korean officials for top ROK security posts

New president’s picks for spy chief and national security adviser suggest focus on dialogue in North Korea approach
Shreyas Reddy June 4, 2025
Copy Icon COPY LINKMastodon Icon MASTODON
Lee Jae-myung taps veteran inter-Korean officials for top ROK security posts
Wi Sung-lac and Lee Jong-seok | Images: Wi's Facebook page and screenshot from JTBC's YouTube channel

Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung named veteran inter-Korean officials to top security posts shortly after being sworn in on Wednesday, hinting at a conciliatory approach toward North Korea.

In a press release, the presidential office listed Lee’s selection of former unification minister Lee Jong-seok for director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and former nuclear talks envoy Wi Sung-lac as national security adviser.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group.

Never miss a beat. Try the new mobile app.

Recent Stories

Seoul resumes processing NGO requests to contact North Korean partners
Seoul resumes processing NGO requests to contact North Korean partners
Chinese state media largely silent on anniversary of Korean War outbreak
Chinese state media largely silent on anniversary of Korean War outbreak
Why Seoul is betting on a civilian defense chief in face of North Korean threats
Why Seoul is betting on a civilian defense chief in face of North Korean threats

About the Author

Shreyas Reddy

Shreyas Reddy

Shreyas Reddy is the Lead Correspondent at NK News, based in Seoul. He previously worked as a researcher at BBC Monitoring, where his work focused on news and key people and organizations from the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Follow him on Twitter.

View more articles by Shreyas ReddyEMAILTwitterLinkedinGot a news tip?Let us know!
© 2025, Korea Risk Group (NK Consulting Inc.). All Rights Reserved