"North Korea, 'Itself Unbelievable That They Shot the Distressed Person Upon Discovery'"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Amid North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s apology saying "I am sorry" regarding the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official Lee Mo, who was shot and killed near Yeonpyeong Island, Rep. Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party of Korea said on the 28th, "We need to take a closer look at the form and content of the apology."
In an interview with KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs" on the same day, Rep. Kim said, "It is not enough that North Korea simply apologized; the apology must be accompanied by follow-up measures and actions that make it feel sincere."
He explained, "It seems that everyone agrees on the unusual fact that (Leader Kim) apologized. During the Park Wang-ja Kumgang shooting incident, the apology came from the Kumgang Mountain tourism operating organization, but this time it was an apology from the United Front Department, and with Kim Jong-un’s expression of 'I am sorry,' it appears to have sincerity."
He added, "Looking at the content and form of the apology, Kim Jong-un personally used the unusual expression of being sorry, offering condolences and great comfort," but also pointed out, "From a substantive perspective, I am not convinced. The fact that the person was shot when found adrift by North Korea is somewhat incomprehensible."
Regarding the official’s alleged "defection to the North," he criticized, "It has been reported that the military and intelligence authorities identified 'defection circumstances' of the official, and former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok has spoken as if the government has concluded he was a defector, and as if they are forcing the narrative that he is a defector when he is not. This is not something politicians should say in the media."
However, he emphasized, "The military is estimating the possibility of defection based on various information, but considering the family’s wounds and the official’s status, there could be legal issues, so it should not be concluded easily," and added, "North and South Korea should clarify the facts through a joint investigation."
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