The Democratic Party strongly condemns the shooting death of the missing public official and demands punishment for those responsible

Today National Defense Committee Convened
Contrary to the Spirit of Panmunjom Declaration and Pyongyang Joint Declaration

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea received a report from the Ministry of National Defense on the Yeonpyeong Island missing public official shooting incident on the 24th and stated, "We strongly demand an apology and punishment of those responsible."

On the 24th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, received a report from Park Jae-min, Vice Minister of National Defense, at the National Assembly regarding the incident in which a public official aboard a fisheries guidance vessel of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries went missing near the northernmost part of the West Sea, close to Soyeonpyeongdo Island. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, Han Jeong-ae, chair of the Policy Committee, and Min Hong-chul, chair of the National Defense Committee, received a report from Deputy Minister of National Defense Park Jae-min at the National Assembly in the afternoon.

After the report, the Democratic Party said in a briefing, "The Democratic Party strongly condemns North Korea's such atrocity," and urged, "We strongly demand an apology and punishment of those responsible for this inhumane act."

The Democratic Party stated, "We pray for the repose of our citizens who died innocently in this incident and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families," adding, "The act of intentionally shooting an unarmed civilian drifting at sea and then burning the body is an atrocity that cannot be tolerated for any reason, and we express strong regret over this."

They further emphasized, "This incident is a direct violation of the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration agreed upon by the heads of state of South and North Korea," and criticized, "It is an act that betrays the expectations of our people who hope for the development of inter-Korean relations and the permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula."

Leader Lee instructed Chair Min of the National Defense Committee to convene the National Defense Committee immediately on the same day. Chair Min plans to convene a full meeting of the National Defense Committee immediately after the adjournment of the plenary session to conduct an urgent briefing on the issue.