Dr. Michael P. Yi (92), a political science Ph.D. from George Washington University and a former CIA agent specializing in North Korean affairs who investigated the turbulent modern history of South Korea, recently stated in a social media communication with the Han-Mi-Il Bo, "I have never once said anything about the Kim Hyun-ji story," and urged patriotic conservative citizens not to be misled by false rumors spreading online. 

On social media and online communities, a post is circulating claiming that "Kim Hyun-ji, as revealed by U.S. CIA agent Michael Kim, is the daughter of Kim Jong-il's mistress Kim Young-sook, born in 1974 as Kim Sol-song (Kim Hyun-ji = Kim Sol-song), making her Kim Jong-il's daughter and Kim Jong-un's half-sister." Although the text refers to him as "Mr. Kim," the fact that many people associate it with Dr. Michael Yi, a former CIA agent, and accept it as an authoritative source, has been pointed out as a problem. 

It has been confirmed that Dr. Michael Yi never made such a statement. 

Dr. Yi, who for 40 years served as a Korean-American intelligence operative with closer access to the substantive truth of major anti-communist incidents than anyone else, told the Han-Mi-Il Bo that the rumors are unrelated to him, stating, "Strange fake news is currently appearing in South Korea and the U.S. intended to dilute the sincerity and arguments of 'Michael Yi'." 

He further stated, "I am continuing a grueling struggle to correct the misguided perception of history, to emphasize the great historical background of the birth of the Republic of Korea, national values and identity, and the critical importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," adding, "Even if my words fall on deaf ears, God will be listening to my desperate prayers." 

He also did not forget to offer harsh criticism regarding the reality of the Lee Jae-myung regime. 

He first encouraged the public, saying, "I have something to say to the patriotic citizens who are worried about the country," and added, "I pay my respects to the rallies being held at Gwanghwamun, Samgakji, and other locations." 

He continued by lamenting, "They are shouting until their throats are sore, but the Republic of Korea is currently burning in a frenzy of flames. No matter how loud their cries are, there is not a single person bringing a bucket of water to put out the fire. The Republic of Korea continues to burn. Even though there is a fire department, they do not appear at the scene of the fire." 

In another message, Dr. Yi stated, "The answer is that the Republic of Korea must collapse entirely," adding, "There is only one thing we can look forward to now: God's judgment." 

Along with this, he emphasized, "God, who does not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, and the small number of patriots who fight for truth and justice are our final hope." 

Dr. Michael Yi began his career as an interrogator for the 528th Military Intelligence Detachment of the U.S. Eighth Army in September 1958 and went on to serve as a North Korea-focused intelligence agent. While working at CIA headquarters in Washington, he handled external cooperation regarding North Korea with the State Department, the Department of Defense (now the Department of War), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). After passing the U.S. Foreign Service Exam, he also served in high-ranking positions at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea. 

Until his retirement in 2000, he served for approximately 40 years in 24 countries, including South Korea. He is a witness who personally investigated and reported on major anti-communist incidents in modern Korean history involving North Korea, having personally met and interrogated figures such as high-profile spy Hwang Tae-sung, the armed infiltrators of Songchu, armed infiltrator Kim Shin-jo, defected North Korean pilot Park Sun-kook, the couple Choi Eun-hee and Shin Sang-ok, KAL bombing culprit Kim Hyun-hee, and former North Korean Workers' Party international secretary Hwang Jang-yop. 

Prior to this, Kim Mi-young, representative of VON, also expressed concerns about the spread of false information on social media misleading patriotic conservatives. 

Representative Kim warned against the rumors, stating, "While it is true that Mr. Michael Yi is a former CIA agent and is considered a reliable figure, it is necessary to verify the context and the setting in which such remarks were supposedly made." 

In a social media post titled 'Please do not spread the Kim Hyun-ji and Kim Sol-song theory,' Representative Kim stated, "North Korea does not use members of its royal family as operatives," adding, "From the perspective of Kim Jong-un, who was born to a mistress, the most burdensome existence is Kim Sol-song. There is no one in North Korea who could deploy Kim Sol-song as an operative trained to throw away their life like straw." 

However, she also opined that "as long as a secretary who assists the president at close range is suspected of having ties to North Korea, they must appear before the National Assembly and clear their name themselves." 

Reporter Heo Gyeom