"Brutal and Clear," "Rising Inter-Korean Tensions" - Foreign Media Report North Korean Official Shooting

BBC "Second Korean Death Since Geumgangsan Shooting"
NYT "Possibly Due to COVID-19 Fear"
CNN "Summits Fail to Produce Significant Outcomes"

On the afternoon of the 24th, the fishing guidance vessel Mugunghwa 10, which was carrying a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who went missing near Yeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, is docked at sea. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Major media outlets from other countries have simultaneously reported on the incident in which a public official who went missing on Yeonpyeong Island was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers.

On the 24th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Mr. A, a crew member of a fisheries guidance vessel under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, went missing on the 21st about 2 km south of Soyeonpyeong Island in the West Sea, and was shot and killed by a North Korean patrol boat.

On the same day, the Ministry of National Defense expressed regret in a "Ministry of National Defense Statement," saying, "After precise analysis of various intelligence, our military confirmed that North Korean soldiers committed the atrocity of shooting at our citizen found in North Korean waters and burning the body," and "We strongly condemn North Korea's atrocity and strongly urge North Korea to explain and punish those responsible."

Major media outlets from other countries cited the Ministry of National Defense's announcement and reported in detail on the circumstances of Mr. A's death.

In a BBC online article from the UK that morning, it was reported that the South Korean Ministry of National Defense condemned the killing of the crew member. The BBC stated, "(South Korean) military authorities revealed that North Korea poured oil on Mr. A's body and burned it," and added, "It is presumed to be a COVID-19 quarantine measure."

It further added, "North Korean officials are mobilizing all means to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Laura Bicker, the BBC's Seoul correspondent, wrote on her Twitter account that day, "This is the second incident of a civilian death since a South Korean tourist was shot at Mount Kumgang in 2008."

She added, "It is brutal and clear," and "North Korea is a closed country."

On the 24th, the Incheon Coast Guard investigated the fishing guidance vessel Mugungho 10, which civil servant A, who recently died from gunfire by North Korea, was aboard near Soyeonpyeongdo waters. / Photo by Yonhap News

The U.S. media outlet The New York Times (NYT) predicted that this incident would worsen inter-Korean relations. It also speculated that North Korean soldiers shooting a South Korean public official and burning the body might be due to fear of COVID-19 infection.

The NYT stated, "The violent incident could further cool relations between the two Koreas," and "Fear of COVID-19 may have fueled North Korea's murderous act."

It also explained, "In July, when a defector from the South crossed into the North, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un declared the highest level of national emergency," and "North Korea claims there are no COVID-19 infections, but experts are skeptical of North Korea's claims."

The U.S. broadcaster CNN also reported, "Since North Korea blew up the Kaesong joint liaison office north of the Demilitarized Zone in June, tensions between the two Koreas have risen again," and "Although inter-Korean summits and North Korea-U.S. summits were held under President Moon's leadership, these talks ultimately failed to produce significant results in all respects."

Ahn Young-ho, Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the National Defense Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th, reporting on the case of the missing public official shot by North Korea near Yeonpyeong Island. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of National Defense, on the morning of the 21st when Mr. A went missing around 11:30 a.m., other crew members aboard the fisheries guidance vessel reported his disappearance to the Coast Guard after noticing Mr. A was not visible. At that time, shoes presumed to have been taken off by Mr. A were found inside the vessel.

The military authorities detected signs the next day (22nd) through surveillance assets that Mr. A was found in North Korean waters. It is estimated that North Korean soldiers fired shots at Mr. A around 9:40 p.m. that day. It was also confirmed that North Korean personnel, wearing protective suits and gas masks, approached Mr. A's body and burned it.

President Moon stated on the 24th that North Korea must provide a responsible response and take measures regarding the killing and mutilation of a South Korean citizen by North Korean soldiers.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, reported that in the afternoon, after President Moon received a briefing on the results of the Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council and government countermeasures from Chief of Staff Noh Young-min and National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, he said, "This is a shocking incident and very regrettable," and "It cannot be tolerated for any reason."

He added, "The North Korean authorities must provide a responsible response and take measures," and "The military must further strengthen its vigilance posture and be fully prepared to protect the lives and safety of the people."