Previous Moon government hit for covering up death of fisheries official
The bereaved family members of a fisheries official who was killed by the North Korean military in the Yellow Sea in 2020 called for a thorough investigation to reveal the truth behind the tragic death. "It is a criminal act and violation of human rights for the government to describe (the official) as defecting due to financial problems. The truth of the incident should be clearly revealed," they said during a press conference in Seoul, Friday.
"The previous Moon Jae-in administration covered it up, refuting our demand for a disclosure of relevant information." A brother of the late official called on Moon and then Cheong Wa Dae officials in charge of security and foreign affairs to offer a sincere apology for failing to protect the life and safety of the people.
Their stance is in line with the statements by the Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Coast Guard Thursday that reversed an announcement they made 21 months claiming that the official was shot to death while attempting to defect to the North. The presidential office also extended an apology to the bereaved families.
It is proper for the Yoon Suk-yeol administration to deny Lee's defection, repealing the previous government's stance. Yet, this does not necessarily mean a complete "reprieve" for the relevant figures and organizations such as the Coast Guard, in particular. The Coast Guard deserves criticism for currying favor from the incumbent government, given its earlier conclusion supportive of the official's defection. As it admitted its past wrongdoing, it should take due responsibility.
Multiple facts still need to be uncovered regarding Lee's death. He went missing in the early morning hours of Sept. 21, 2020 off Yonpyeong Island and was found slaughtered and burned in North Korean waters at 9:40 p.m. the next day. The Coast Guard confirmed Lee was detected by the North and reported it to Cheong Wa Dae at 6:36 p.m. Sept. 22. The government should have demanded Lee's repatriation immediately after they grasped his whereabouts.
But it neither took such steps nor sent a message to the North. Three days later, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a telegram expressing his apology for the incident. After Kim's remarks, the case seemed to come to an end. There were no inter-Korean joint investigations as the Moon administration remained inactive.
The bereaved family member's demand to disclose relevant information was neglected after the government at the time filed a suit against a court ruling ordering the revelation of information. Moon also renegaded on his pledge to Lee's son to find the truth. Related data have been transferred as presidential records. It is time for the Yoon administration to make full-fledged efforts to discover the truth behind the incident and subject the responsible people to due punishment.
Disclosing presidential records requires either approval from two-thirds of the lawmakers or issuance of court warrants. The National Assembly, courts and the government should make combined efforts to reveal the truth behind the tragic death.
