President Moon: "Kim Jong-un's Apology, Very Unusual... Taken with Special Significance"

North's First Direct Mention of Shooting Death: "An Unacceptable Incident"
"Priority Restoration and Reactivation of Military Communication Line" Repeatedly Proposed

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 28th.

President Moon Jae-in stated on the 28th regarding the incident in which a South Korean citizen was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers in the West Sea, "No matter how divided the situation is, this should never have happened."

Presiding over a senior secretaries and advisors meeting at the Blue House that day, President Moon said in his opening remarks, "It is urgently necessary for both South and North Korea to ascertain the facts and prepare practical measures to prevent recurrence."

President Moon described the incident as "very regrettable and unfortunate," adding, "Regardless of the circumstances that led the victim to enter North Korean waters, I offer my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families for their grief and sorrow."

He continued, "I fully understand the shock and anger felt by the people," and bowed his head, saying, "Regardless of the reasons, as a government responsible for protecting the lives and safety of its citizens, I feel deeply sorry."

At the same time, President Moon praised the North's swift apology and expressed hope that this incident would serve as a turning point to restart inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation.

He said, "The North Korean authorities sent a notification just one day after our government demanded a responsible response and measures, promptly apologizing and promising to prevent recurrence," adding, "This is an expression of North Korea's clear intention not to worsen the situation and lead inter-Korean relations to an irreversible state."

Regarding Chairman Kim Jong-un's apology, President Moon noted, "It is an unprecedented and very exceptional act for the supreme leader of North Korea to directly apologize immediately," and said, "This shows that Chairman Kim also regards this incident seriously and heavily, and hopes that inter-Korean relations will not collapse."

He added, "I take special meaning in Chairman Kim Jong-un conveying his sincere apologies to our people," and said, "I hope this will help resolve the incident and contribute to the future of inter-Korean relations."

President Moon then expressed hope that "starting with resolving this incident, the spark of dialogue will be revived and the path to cooperation opened," reiterating his proposal to restore military communication lines.

He emphasized, "What is most regrettably highlighted in this incident is the reality that the military communication lines between South and North Korea are blocked," and said, "Urgent contact and communication through the military communication lines between the two Koreas are necessary to prevent accidental military clashes or unexpected incidents, and to facilitate rescue cooperation if citizens or vessels drift at sea." He then requested, "At least the military communication lines should be restored and reactivated as a priority."

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 28th.

President Moon said, "I hope that the South and North's will to prevent similar incidents will not end with words but that we will jointly seek solutions," adding, "If dialogue is cut off, there is no way to solve problems, and without cooperation, it is difficult to establish effective measures to prevent recurrence." He continued, "I hope this tragic incident will not end as just an incident but will become an opportunity to create chances for dialogue and cooperation and to advance inter-Korean relations."

Meanwhile, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, President Moon said, "We are facing the holiday amid a quarantine situation and economic difficulties where tension cannot be relaxed," and added, "I hope it will be a Chuseok that gives strength to each other."

He further said, "I hope warm hearts can be shared with those who have to work during the holiday and with marginalized and struggling neighbors," and added, "Especially, I extend my condolences to those who bear the wounds of division and to displaced persons who have their hometowns in the North."