President Moon's Cheong Wa Dae Situation Briefing Message in Focus... Rising Tensions or Thaw Mode on the Korean Peninsula?

President Moon to Address Missing Official's Shooting Death Incident... Calls for Joint Inter-Korean Investigation and Steps to Restore Severed Hotline

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in on the afternoon of the 28th is expected to become another turning point regarding the missing public official shooting death incident.

It is said to be at a crossroads whether tensions on the Korean Peninsula will further escalate or whether it will lay the groundwork for a "thaw." Additionally, since President Moon personally took charge by chairing an emergency security-related ministers' meeting on the 27th, if there is no response from North Korea, it could also act as a political burden.

The Blue House is focusing on preventing the situation from worsening. Previously, the Blue House's proposal for a "joint investigation" was a strategic move to restore the severed "hotline" between the South and the North. Through the emergency security-related ministers' meeting chaired by President Moon the day before, the Blue House stated, "Since there are differences in the circumstances and facts of the incident as understood by the South and the North respectively, we request a joint investigation for a prompt fact-finding."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Blue House's sudden disclosure of the letter exchange between President Moon and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un was also a move aimed at changing the political situation. Seo Ju-seok, Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC), said, "We request the restoration and reactivation of the military communication line for communication, consultation, and information exchange."

From the Blue House's perspective, if the severed hotline is restored, it can be used as a turning point in inter-Korean relations. Although President Moon personally took the lead in resolving the issue and strengthened his efforts, the political risk has increased. If there is no change in North Korea's behavior, it means that President Moon will have to bear the political burden.

This incident has continued to unfold with twists and turns. When the shocking announcement was made that an unarmed innocent civilian was shot and then the body was burned, the prevailing view was that it would face repercussions similar to the "second Park Wang-ja incident." However, the situation changed when North Korea unusually and swiftly delivered a notification containing Kim Jong-un's apology, saying "We are very sorry," to the Blue House.

However, reality remains challenging. The core questions of this incident remain intact. While North Korea admits to the shooting, it claims that what was burned was not the body but "floating debris." There has been no clear explanation regarding the missing public official's intention to defect to the North.

South Korea's intelligence authorities are known to have confirmed the defection intention through multiple channels, and related information is expected to be disclosed soon, which may lead to further controversy.

The fact that the opposition party is launching a full-scale offensive ahead of the Chuseok holiday, which is expected to be a turning point in public sentiment, is also increasing the Blue House's concerns. This is why attention is focused on the senior secretaries and aides meeting chaired by President Moon. It is expected that messages considering domestic critical sentiment will be delivered at the meeting.

However, since Kim Jong-un has expressed an apology and the Blue House has proposed a joint investigation and hotline connection, the tone of the remarks is expected to be moderated. While considering the domestic critical public opinion regarding this incident, a strategic message that does not escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula is anticipated.

Meanwhile, since the senior secretaries and aides meeting is held ahead of the Chuseok holiday, a message from President Moon related to the holiday is also expected.