After a closed-door policy consultation meeting among presidential, NIS and party officials, Rep. Kim Min-ki of the ruling Democratic Party told reporters that they agreed to make efforts for the swift passage of the bill. Kim sits on the parliamentary intelligence committee.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party claimed that a three-year grace period should be granted before the spy agency's investigative authority is handed over to police.

"Making efforts for the swift passage of the proposal means that we will not keep in mind or consider applying such a grace period," Kim said.

Hong Young-pyo, the floor leader of the DP, Lee Seok-su, a senior NIS official and Cho Kuk, a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, were among the participants in Wednesday's meeting.

 During his budget speech on Nov. 1, President Moon Jae-in called for swift parliamentary passage of the bill to speed up the agency's reform.

The reform of the NIS was one of President Moon's election pledges and is intended to prevent the spy agency from meddling in domestic politics and make it focus on overseas operations.

"The NIS is working hard as part of the Moon administration's reform measures," Hong told reporters before the meeting.

"But it is hard to say that the NIS is fully in operation as the bill has yet to be passed due to opposition parties' objection," he added. "This proposal should be passed during the regular session for the sake of a new spy agency." (Yonhap)