Seoul:A recent exclusion of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) from a trilateral meeting with the United States and Japan has sparked worries about potential friction in the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the NIS confirmed its exclusion from the June meeting on North Korean cyber threats, reportedly at Washington's request. Although the NIS has attempted to downplay the incident, concerns persist about the stability of bilateral ties, with ongoing reports of tension.
Earlier, the industry ministry dismissed claims that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed distrust of the NIS during discussions on strategic investment projects. A senior ruling bloc insider noted that various issues are impacting the overall relationship between the two countries, emphasizing that instability in intelligence cooperation is undesirable.
Tensions had been brewing since Unification Minister Chung Dong-young revealed information about a North Korean uranium enrichment facility, leading Washington to limit Seoul's access to certain intelligence. Calls have been made for National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac to visit Washington to ease the tension, though no such plans are currently in place.
Additionally, the ruling Democratic Party expressed regret over the delayed U.S. visa issuance for former party leader Rep. Jung Chung-rae, who intended to visit the U.S. for a parliamentary audit. The main opposition People Power Party suggested that alliance friction might have contributed to the delay, urging the government to investigate potential communication and trust issues between South Korea and the U.S.