Democratic Party Rep. Song Young-gil urged South Korea on Monday to strengthen its own intelligence capabilities, saying independent judgment matters when Seoul’s interests may differ from those of its U.S. ally.
The main opposition People Power Party has claimed that concerns about intelligence cooperation with Washington have affected South Korea’s military readiness, Yonhap News Agency reported. Song’s remarks came amid those concerns.
Speaking at a parliamentary audit at military headquarters in Gyeryong, Song said U.S. intelligence assets and judgments were “not omniscient nor omnipotent.” He said the alliance remained important, but the two countries’ national interests did not always align.
Song called for the South Korean military to develop its own intelligence assets and ability to assess information. He said that capacity would help keep the country from becoming involved in a war.
Song took up a role advising President Lee Jae Myung on peace diplomacy on Oct. 1.
