The editorial accused Ri of contributing an article terming the action of Ryongsan evacuees a "riot" and asserting that the reform of the IS was a "harmful action."

But at a confirmation hearing of the "National Assembly" on March 16 he excused himself that all what he said was "neither thoughtful nor appropriate" and "it was just expression of individual opinion," it recalled.

When questioned by lawmakers about the nature of the May 16 coup, he answered that "he had never formulated a conception" but in the afternoon he said that "he agreed with the definition of coup and he studied it again and confirmed it was a coup during break," the editorial noted, ridiculing his answer.

If a person with ultra-conservative inclination changes his words just before the appointment to an official post, one cannot but doubt his sincerity, it held, adding Ri is not qualified to be director of the Intelligence Service.