Jakarta:The industry ministry has formally denied reports suggesting U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's intelligence services during discussions on strategic investment projects.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources responded to claims from a local newspaper that Lutnick had communicated Washington's discontent with South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).
The ministry stated, "We clearly state that the claim that Commerce Secretary Lutnick expressed distrust of the NIS to Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan during negotiations on strategic investment projects in the U.S. is not true." They urged the newspaper to report responsibly to prevent misunderstandings and confusion.
Similarly, the NIS announced it had not received any information about Lutnick's alleged remarks. In a related context, it was noted that Washington has partially limited South Korea's access to intelligence on North Korea-related technology since April. This action was in response to the unification minister's disclosure of information concerning one of North Korea's nuclear facilities.