Lee Soo Il, formerly the deputy director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and currently part of a prosecution investigation, has committed suicide. As of yet no one knows why he chose such an extreme course of action, but it is painful and sad to see prominent members of society continue to tragically take their own lives. Some blame "coercive" prosecution investigation tactics and some draw connections to the Grand National Party's leak of NIS documentation on the illegal eavesdropping activities, but at this point that is all just conjecture. Given the deceased's personality and his behavior prior to committing suicide, the theory that he felt a "human burden" and sense of guilt for being part of what led the prosecution to arrest the NIS director he once served was too much for him to endure sounds like a convincing one.
His suicide is unfortunate and distressing, but what is clear is that the ultimate origins of the tragedy lie in the NIS's illegal wiretapping. What led to the misfortune was an atmosphere in the government at the time that made him get involved in the activity, and the ultimate fact that as the second in command at the NIS he was unable to flatly say no to what was going on.
His death must not be allowed to influence the investigation in any way. Politicians need to rid themselves of the temptation to politicize what happened. It is very regrettable that already you have people predicting that it will play out as part of political maneuverings that relate to how public in the Honam region reacts to what has happened. A thorough resolution to the investigation and fundamental reform at the NIS are both in urgent demand, and will among other things also assure there are not similar tragedies.
The Hankyoreh, 22 November 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] More Reason to Eradicate Crimes by the State |
