North Korea continues UN sanction violation, coal exports reach 1.5 million tons in 2025: Lawmaker North Korea continued illegal exports of coal and minerals last year in violation of United Nations sanctions, with coal exports reaching 1.5 million tons, a lawmaker said Sunday, citing South Korea's spy agency. 2026.6.7
6 former NIS officials booked over alleged roles in insurrection Cho Tae-yong, former chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and five other former political appointees at the spy agency have been booked on charges of involvement in an insurrection. 2026.5.18
North has constitutionally enshrined nuclear retaliation for decapitation strike, NIS says North Korea constitutionally enshrined the use of nuclear weapons in the event that its leader is incapacitated, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service told parliament, formalizing the continued operation of its arsenal under any circumstances. 2026.5.7
NIS appoints 'Made in Korea' actor Hyun Bin as honorary counterintelligence agent Actor Hyun Bin has been appointed as an “honorary counterintelligence agent,” the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Tuesday. Hyun Bin will work with the agency to raise awareness about the importance of counterintelligence. 2026.4.7
NIS employee, two military officers referred to prosecution over drone flights to North An employee of the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) and two active-duty military officers were referred to the prosecution on Tuesday for their alleged roles in sending drones to North Korea, investigators said. 2026.3.31
Ex-spy chief denies charges in martial law trial over alleged dereliction of duty Former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong on Wednesday denied charges of dereliction of duty related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. 2026.2.4
Spy agency to drop complaints against ex-top officials over alleged cover-up of border killing by North Korea The NIS said Monday it will drop complaints against former top security officials following their recent acquittal for involvement in an alleged cover-up of the 2020 murder of a South Korean fisheries official by North Korea. 2025.12.29
NIS to ease restrictions on accessing North Korean materials, websites The National Intelligence Service has announced plans to ease restrictions on access to North Korean materials, including the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party. 2025.12.25
Court dismisses ex-spy chief's petition against arrest over martial law A court on Monday dismissed former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong's petition against his arrest, keeping him in custody over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law. 2025.11.17
Ex-spy chief arrested on multiple charges including dereliction of duty, perjury Former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges including dereliction of duty in connection with former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition. 2025.11.12
![The National Intelligence Service headquarters [NIS]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12523625.jpg?imageId=12523625&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![North Korean leader Kim Jong-un [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12580878.jpg?imageId=12580878&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Actor Hyun Bin [THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12526404.jpg?imageId=12526404&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![A drone allegedly sent by South Korea on Sept. 27, 2025, is seen in this photo carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 10. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12533326.jpg?imageId=12533326&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12158599.jpg?imageId=12158599&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![This photo, provided by the National Intelligence Service, shows the headquarters of the Korean spy agency. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11945869.jpg?imageId=11945869&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Lee Jong-seok, director of the National Intelligence Service, during the announcement of his appointment at the presidential office in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on June 4 [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12259751.jpg?imageId=12259751&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Cho Tae-yong, a former chief of the National Intelligence Service, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on Nov. 11, 2025, to attend his arrest warrant hearing. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12291432.jpg?imageId=12291432&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Cho Tae-yong, a former chief of the National Intelligence Service, leaves the Seoul Central District Court on Nov. 11 after attending his arrest warrant hearing. [JANG JIN-YOUNG]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11988923.jpg?imageId=11988923&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)