Cheong NSC Emergency Meeting Condemns "North Korea's Shooting to Death of Our Citizens Without Resistance" (Comprehensive)

Meeting on Measures for Civil Servant Sacrifice Incident by North Korean Military... "Not a Violation of 9·19 Military Agreement Details but Mental Damage Is True"

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kim Dong-pyo] The Blue House condemned the incident in which North Korean soldiers shot and killed a South Korean public official, stating that it cannot be justified for any reason.

Seo Ju-seok, Secretary General of the Blue House National Security Council (NSC), said at a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the afternoon of the 24th, "The government deeply mourns the incident in which a fisheries supervisor who went missing near Yeonpyeong Island on the 21st was killed by North Korean soldiers," adding, "The North Korean soldiers shot and killed our citizen who was unarmed and showed no intention of resistance, and mutilated the body, which cannot be justified for any reason."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary Seo criticized, "Such actions by North Korean soldiers are against international norms and humanitarian principles, and our government strongly condemns them," and urged, "North Korea must take full responsibility for this incident, clearly reveal the truth, and severely punish those responsible."

Secretary Seo stated, "They must apologize for this inhumane act and take clear measures to prevent recurrence," and pledged, "Our government will strengthen the security posture in the border areas including the West Sea Five Islands and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our citizens."

Secretary Seo declared, "We will firmly respond to any North Korean actions that threaten the lives and safety of our citizens in the future."

Meanwhile, in additional remarks regarding the Blue House briefing on the same day, Secretary Seo said, "This matter is not a violation of the detailed provisions of the September 19 Military Agreement," but added, "It is true that it undermines the spirit of the September 19 Military Agreement aimed at reducing military tensions and building trust in the border area. Therefore, the government issued a statement condemning North Korea’s actions and demanding a thorough investigation."