South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is pushing back against allegations that his unification minister disclosed sensitive U.S. intelligence about North Korea’s nuclear program, calling such accusations completely unfounded.
Media outlets in South Korea have indicated that the United States has reduced its intelligence sharing regarding North Korea following public statements made by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young about a previously unverified uranium enrichment site in the communist nation.
The minister and his department maintain that Chung’s March statements regarding the nuclear facility located in Kusong, North Korea, were drawn from information already available to the public, including academic studies.
“It’s a clear fact that the existence of the Kusong nuclear facility was widely known globally even before Chung’s public comments through various research reports and news media,” Lee stated in a social media post on Monday evening.
“Any claim or action based on the idea that Minister Chung ‘leaked classified information provided by the U.S.’ is wrong. I’ll be looking closely into why something as absurd as this is happening,” the president added.
When asked about potential changes to U.S. intelligence sharing arrangements, South Korea’s defense ministry refused to provide details on Tuesday. However, officials confirmed that intelligence agencies from both nations continue to collaborate closely, particularly regarding North Korean missile activities.
The North conducted its most recent ballistic missile testing on Sunday, with both South Korean and Japanese forces monitoring the launches.
During testimony before a parliamentary panel last month, Chung revealed that North Korea has been producing weapons-grade uranium at the Kusong location, in addition to previously known or suspected facilities in Yongbyon and Kangson.
According to reporting by Yonhap news agency on Tuesday, the United States has restricted the sharing of certain intelligence collected through surveillance satellites.
Political opposition members are demanding Chung’s removal from office, arguing that his actions have harmed the crucial alliance between Seoul and Washington. The two nations maintain a defense agreement, and the U.S. stations approximately 28,500 military personnel in South Korea.
