President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea accepted the resignations of the head of the intelligence agency and two deputies on Sunday, as confirmed by his office. While no specific reasons were provided for the resignations, local media indicated issues arising from past personnel reshuffles at the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Kim Kyou-hyun, a seasoned diplomat specializing in U.S. and North Korea affairs, had overseen the NIS since President Yoon assumed office in May 2022. Yoon promptly appointed two senior NIS officials to assume the deputy positions, with the selection of the next director pending a parliamentary confirmation hearing.
Yoon’s office acknowledged Director Kim’s efforts in reestablishing the NIS’s status as the nation’s top security intelligence agency during a government transition. Kim was also credited with fostering collaboration with intelligence agencies of friendly countries.
