Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin, known for his fresh image and recent roles as soldiers, police officers, and intelligence bureau chiefs in hit works such as ‘Crash Landing on You,’ ‘Confidential Assignment,’ and ‘Harbin,’ has caught the attention of Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), who appointed him as ‘Honorary Counter-Espionage Agent’ (or ‘Honorary Counterintelligence Officer’).
The NIS stated in an interview that this appointment is closely related to the amendment of Article 98 of the Criminal Law (Espionage Crime) passed by the Korean National Assembly this February. In the past, the Korean public's impression of ‘counter-espionage’ mostly stayed at catching North Korean spies. The NIS hopes to use Hyun Bin's influence to help the public understand that modern counter-espionage now covers areas critical to national survival, including preventing the leakage of advanced technology and protecting secrets of the defense industry.
In the future, Hyun Bin will no longer just carry out missions on screen. Following the appointment, he will work with the NIS to launch a series of policy promotion activities, such as shooting promotional videos or attending related events, to strengthen South Korean citizens' counter-espionage awareness and bridge the distance between the NIS and the public.
Source: Liberty Times Entertainment