The National Human Rights Commission is considering supervising the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in areas with potential for human rights violations.

The commission’s secretary general, Kwak No-hyun, said it is essential to look into the wiretapping practices of state entities that have the authority to engage in such activities, including the NIS, the prosecution, and the police.

He stressed that current law situplates the human rights watchdog has the right to ask for investigation of the spy agency's activities if deemed necessary.

However, he added that the commission has yet to decide whether to call for a probe of the agency's authority vis-à-vis wiretapping and related activities, and would limit itself for now to closely following the developments of a separate investigation by prosecutors.

Kwak added that working-level officials are preparing forums to discuss reform of the state intelligence body.

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