Lee Nak-yeon "North Korea Must Swiftly Accept Government's Joint Investigation Proposal"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jeon Hae-cheol, chairman of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, are talking at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Regarding the incident in which a government official went missing at sea near Soyeonpyeongdo in the West Sea and was killed by North Korean military gunfire, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 27th, "The North should accept our government's proposal for a joint investigation."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee said, "Shooting at unarmed civilians drifting at sea is an act that is unacceptable under any circumstances."

He continued, "Today, the North announced that they are searching for the body of the fisheries official and will hand over the body to our side once found," adding, "Since both South and North are conducting searches in their respective waters, I hope the body is recovered as soon as possible."

Lee emphasized, "There are differences between the South and North's previous announcements regarding whether the body was cremated," and urged, "We call on the North to promptly accept our government's proposal for a joint investigation into all related issues."

Meanwhile, the Blue House held an emergency security ministers' meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in the previous day and decided to request a joint investigation with the North for a swift fact-finding regarding the incident in which our government official was shot and killed in North Korean waters.

Seo Ju-seok, Secretary General of the National Security Council (First Deputy Director of the National Security Office), stated at a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center that afternoon, "Since there are differences in the circumstances and facts of the incident as understood by the South and the North, we are requesting a joint investigation for a prompt fact-finding."