Despite the 'Chung Dong-young risk,' U.S.-South Korea communication on North Korean missile issues remains fully operational; no signs of classified leaks

Newsis [The Financial News] Even after disruptions in U. S. -South Korea intelligence sharing on North Korea, communication channels for major security issues, including North Korea's missile launches, are operating normally. North Korea's missile launch data is reportedly detected first by advanced U. S.
reconnaissance satellites. As a result, concerns grew that a breakdown in intelligence sharing between the two allies could trigger a security crisis. According to diplomatic and security officials on the 21st, intelligence collection and sharing between the two countries regarding North Korea's military activities are proceeding normally. A government official said, "The intelligence agencies of South Korea and the United States are closely communicating, including on North Korea's missile launch trends, and the current intelligence-sharing system remains in place. " It was also reported that when North Korea fired several ballistic missiles from the Sinpo area in South Hamgyong Province on the 19th, South Korean and U.
S. authorities jointly identified unusual movements by the North Korean military. The government was also reported to have found no signs that classified information shared by the United States had been leaked in its own security investigation. In other words, Chung's remark in the National Assembly last month that a third North Korean nuclear facility was located in Kusong, North Pyongan Province, was not a leak of classified information. President Lee Jae Myung ordered an investigation on the 20th, writing on social media, "I need to look into in detail why on earth such an absurd thing is happening.
" The previous day, Minister Chung said, "I was giving a policy briefing to explain the seriousness of the North Korean nuclear issue, and it is deeply regrettable that this is being framed as an 'intelligence leak. '" He added, "I also mentioned Kusong during my confirmation hearing on July 14 last year. There was no comment then, but now, nine months later, I suspect there is some ulterior motive behind suddenly bringing this issue up. " Meanwhile, People Power Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong claimed on the day that General Xavier T. Brunson, commander of U.
S. Forces Korea, had protested to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back over the alleged leak of information. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, however, pushed back, saying, "It would be inappropriate in South Korea-U. S.
military diplomacy for the commander of U. S. Forces Korea to protest to the defense minister, and the claim is entirely untrue. " President Lee Jae Myung said on X on the 20th that claims South Korea and the United States had halted intelligence sharing because of Minister Chung's remark about a North Korean nuclear facility in Kusong were wrong, adding that "all claims and actions based on the assumption that Minister Chung 'leaked classified information provided by the United States' are mistaken.military diplomacy for the commander of U. S. Forces Korea to protest to the defense minister, and the claim is entirely untrue. " President Lee Jae Myung said on X on the 20th that claims South Korea and the United States had halted intelligence sharing because of Minister Chung's remark about a North Korean nuclear facility in Kusong were wrong, adding that "all claims and actions based on the assumption that Minister Chung 'leaked classified information provided by the United States' are mistaken.
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter