[2026 Audit] KISA President Lee Sangjung: "No False Career History Whatsoever... I'll Explain Each Audit Finding"

KISA President Lee Sangjung Strongly Pushes Back After Dismissal Motion Approved

Lee Sangjung, president of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), whose dismissal was approved amid allegations including falsified career credentials and misuse of a corporate credit card, has hit back at the accusations.

Lee Sangjung, president of the Korea Internet & Security Agency, answers lawmakers’ questions during a parliamentary audit of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency and other institutions held by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 15th. Yonhap News

At an audit by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, held at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on October 15, Lee Jeongheon of the Democratic Party of Korea said, “Is it true that you worked as a Grade 5 official at the Prosecution Service before becoming the head of a vice-ministerial-level agency?” He added, “People are calling it a parachute appointment.”

Lee Jeongheon alleged that Lee Sangjung had falsified his career history. He said that the position listed on Lee’s résumé, head of the Internet Crime Investigation Team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, was not an official title, and that Lee’s experience as a special professor at Gumi University and as head of the Cybersecurity Research Institute was also false.

In response, Lee Sangjung said, “There was absolutely no exaggeration of my career history.”

Lim Jeonggyu, director of network policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT and a non-standing KISA board member, explained, “There were various matters discussed regarding the board meeting. The members largely agreed on the issues flagged in the audit, so they decided to recommend his dismissal.” An audit by the Ministry of Science and ICT, conducted from March to May, cited 10 violations of duty by Lee. KISA’s board subsequently approved a recommendation for his dismissal. A request for dismissal and the dismissal process are still pending.

Lee Jeongheon said, “Even though a dismissal resolution has been passed, he filed for an injunction with the Gwangju District Court and is trying to hold on by hiding behind the law.”

Lee Sangjung said, “I will go through and explain each of the 10 issues raised in the audit,” adding, “I filed for an injunction because there were procedural problems, and I am reconsidering my position because this case does not fall under Article 22 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions.”

Lee Hoonki of the Democratic Party pointed out that KISA received a “poor” rating in last year’s public institution management evaluation. “Since Lee took office, KISA received a D grade in last year’s institutional management evaluation, the first time in 15 years,” he said. Lee Sangjung responded, “I am sorry that the management evaluation turned out to be the worst ever,” adding, “The incidents last year were the decisive factor.”

KISA: "Dispatch to special counsel probing election commission to be finalized today"

Lee Sangjung, president of the Korea Internet & Security Agency, answers lawmakers’ questions during a parliamentary audit of the National IT Industry Promotion Agency and other bodies held by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 15th. Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, questions were raised over delays in selecting digital forensics personnel, despite KISA receiving a request from the special counsel investigating allegations involving the National Election Commission, including shortages of ballots for the June 3 local elections. Lee Sangjung said, “The first round of applications closed last week,” adding, “We will finalize the selection by the end of today.”

Concerns were also raised about the low adoption rate of IPv6, the next-generation internet address system in South Korea. Cho Kyungtae of the People Power Party called on KISA to survey IPv6 usage, set transition targets for each telecommunications carrier, and regularly release key indicators. Lee Sangjung replied, “We will discuss this with telecommunications operators together with the Ministry of Science and ICT.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.