[Summary] "President Moon, Apologize" Controversy Over 'Civil Servant Killed by North Korea'... Opposition Launches Relentless Offensive

Kim Jong-in "Military stood by idly... What was Cheongwadae doing?"
Ha Tae-gyeong "They didn't even try to save our people"
Sim Sang-jeong "Must strictly hold accountable after fact-finding"
Ahn Cheol-soo "Military excuses make my blood boil"

The hull of the fishing guidance vessel Mugunghwa 10, on which public official A (47), who recently died from North Korean gunfire in the waters off Soyeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, was aboard. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Yeon-joo] The opposition parties are continuing their full-scale offensive against the government and ruling party over the incident in which a South Korean official was shot and his body burned by North Korea in the West Sea. They are calling for a public apology from President Moon Jae-in.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook on the 24th, "I feel unbearable anger at North Korea's inhumane and barbaric murder," and pointed out, "While our citizen was being brutally killed, the military reportedly just stood by with their hands tied. What was the Blue House doing?"

Chairman Kim emphasized, "They are said to have kept the incident under wraps and even broadcast a UN speech video containing content about a declaration of the end of the war, but the public can hardly believe this," adding, "President Moon Jae-in, who has abandoned his constitutional duty to protect the lives and safety of the people, must personally come forward, apologize to the public, and reveal the truth of this incident without any concealment."

He continued, "President Moon said in his June 25th commemorative speech that he would not tolerate any provocations, but he is once again showing a submissive attitude," and added, "All means, including international cooperation, must be mobilized to make North Korea bear appropriate responsibility."

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, also strongly criticized President Moon on the same day for receiving a report on the incident but giving no instructions. Ha wrote on his Facebook, "When President Moon received the report that the missing citizen was found in North Korea, (Mr. A) was still alive," and said, "Even after the first report, President Moon gave no instructions. It is shocking."

He added, "There was not even an attempt to rescue our citizen," and criticized, "Although he belatedly condemned North Korea and demanded an apology, it is an empty echo. Watching a president who has no will to protect the people is truly despairing."

On the 24th, the Incheon Coast Guard found the slippers of public official A, who was recently shot and killed by North Korea, on the fishing guidance vessel Mugungho 10, which A was aboard, in the waters near Soyeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News

The People's Party and the Justice Party also raised their voices of criticism. Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party, stated in a statement posted on his Facebook, "Our military reportedly took no action and just stood by, watching the tragedy of our citizen," and criticized, "Hearing a military official excuse that it was difficult to respond actively because the incident occurred near the North Korean border area makes my blood boil."

Lee Tae-gyu, a lawmaker from the same party, said, "The incident in which our citizen was brutally killed must be referred to the UN Security Council to draw strong condemnation and sanctions from the international community," and emphasized, "The government must hold North Korea strictly accountable through practical actions, not just words."

He added, "Repeatedly condemning strongly, protesting sternly, and urging prevention of recurrence with mere words as a perennial repertoire will never stop North Korea's anti-national, inhumane crimes and provocations."

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, said, "The government must accurately ascertain the facts and strictly hold those responsible accountable," adding, "The responsible party could be North Korea or relevant authorities."

At a 'resignation press conference' held at the National Assembly that day, Leader Sim urged a fact-finding investigation, saying, "Although the matter is complicated, the government must accurately report the facts to the public."

Meanwhile, President Moon expressed regret over the incident, saying, "It is a shocking incident and very regrettable," and "It cannot be tolerated for any reason."

On the 24th, President Moon received a report on the results of the NSC Standing Committee meeting and government measures from Chief Secretary Noh Young-min and Security Director Suh Hoon, and made these remarks, White House spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a briefing.

President Moon instructed, "The North Korean authorities must take responsible responses and measures," and "The military must further strengthen its alert posture and prepare thoroughly to protect the lives and safety of the people."