Investigation Results of Yeonpyeongdo Missing Official to be Announced This Morning

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense is scheduled to announce the analysis results on the death incident of a public official who went missing while aboard a fisheries guidance vessel near Soyeonpyeongdo, the northernmost island of the West Sea, on the morning of the 24th.

On that day, a military official stated, "We are conducting a detailed analysis of various intelligence related to the missing public official incident near Yeonpyeongdo, and we will announce the investigation results this morning."

According to intelligence authorities, the exact circumstances of the shooting have not been confirmed, and it is understood that the North Korean side cremated the body of the public official.

A crew member A (47) of the fisheries guidance vessel under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries went missing on the 21st while performing duties on the vessel, drifting at sea with the intention of defecting to the North. Authorities have tentatively confirmed that A was shot and killed by North Korean forces from a distance, and that the North Korean side recovered and cremated the body, according to officials. Authorities believe that the North Korean border guards shot A and cremated the body in accordance with quarantine guidelines for border areas to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) from foreign countries. The emphasis is on an accidental incident rather than a deliberate provocation against a South Korean resident involving high-ranking North Korean officials.

An official from the authorities said, "It is presumed that the North cremated A for COVID-19 quarantine purposes," adding, "There is no evidence of involvement by high-ranking North Korean officials." The Ministry of Unification also stated, "As the relevant authorities are conducting verification and analysis, we will monitor the situation and consider necessary measures."