In the National Assembly’s closed-door inspection of the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), a ministry official said, ``The government has been working with the National Security Research Institute in developing wiretap-free mobile phones as part of efforts to set up a nationwide wireless navigation network in preparation of a wartime emergency.’’

In a turnaround from its hitherto denial, the ministry also admitted to ordering local government agencies to set aside a supplementary budget for purchasing anti-tapping mobile phones.

The ministry’s attempt to develop anti-bugging technologies is widely seen as its confession that wireless conversations are insecure, apparently emboldening the main opposition Grand National Party’s (GNP) attack on the government.

Chin Dae-je, minister of the MIC, and the National Intelligence Service have long asserted that mobile phone conversations cannot be tapped because local cellular phones use code division multiple access technology. The GNP has vowed to file a lawsuit against Chin for perjury.

During the previous audit of state affairs, GNP lawmaker Park Jin revealed a document that the ministry has encouraged 81 government agencies to purchase the anti-wiretap equipment to cope with possible interception of wireless calls.