The headquarters of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service in Seoul. Photo by Asia Today
June 29 (Asia Today) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's call for a government-backed technology investment organization modeled on the United States' In-Q-Tel has raised expectations that the National Intelligence Service will take a larger role in developing the country's security industry.
The proposal would combine government funding and intelligence resources with technologies developed by private companies, potentially giving national agencies access to advanced artificial intelligence and big-data analysis systems.
However, the plan is also raising concerns that expanding the intelligence agency's technological capabilities could lead to excessive surveillance and misuse of personal data.
Lee announced the initiative Friday during a strategy meeting at the presidential office on fostering companies specializing in emerging national security technologies.
