Korea’s spy agency said Tuesday that it is in talks with the United States over delays in issuing visas to some of its employees scheduled to work at the Korean Embassy in Washington, denying a media report that their visa applications had been rejected. The statement from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) came in response to a Chosun Ilbo report revealing that the U.S. government had not approved Korea's request to dispatch NIS personnel to Washington as diplomats. The report also said Washington has not yet reached an agreement with Seoul over the departure of a senior NIS official who is supposed to return to Korea. “The delays in some visa applications are related to issues concerning the applicants’ personal information as part of the strengthened U.S. entry procedures,” the NIS said. “We are closely consulting with the U.S. side on the matter.” The intelligence agency further dismissed claims that the visa delays were linked to broader tensions between Seoul and Washington, including disputes over e-commerce giant Coupang and allegations involving intelligence act