People Power Party: North Korea's 'NLL Infringement' Claim is False... Cheong Had No Orders Until Official Was Killed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party pointed out that North Korea's Korean Central News Agency's claim that our naval vessels violated the Northern Limit Line (NLL) during the search is false.

The People Power Party's "Task Force (TF) for Investigating the Truth Behind North Korea's Atrocities Against Our Citizens" announced on the 28th that they confirmed this by visiting the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The TF stated, "The Korean Central News Agency reported that 'since September 25, numerous naval vessels and other ships have been mobilized in what is presumed to be search operations, violating our waters,' but the Joint Chiefs of Staff explained that this is 'completely baseless propaganda.' Ultimately, it is judged that North Korea is attempting to divert attention and cover up the incident in which it killed a South Korean citizen and public official."

Additionally, the TF pointed out that the Coast Guard, Navy, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Blue House shared all information from the missing person's stage, but the Blue House did not issue any instructions. The TF criticized, "Although the Blue House Crisis Situation Room was cooperating through an information-sharing system, the Blue House did not issue a single instruction until the killing occurred. After the killing, frequent emergency meetings were held to the point of suffocation, delaying action until the next day, clearly revealing signs of concealment."

After the disappearance, about 70 Chinese fishing vessels were present near the NLL, but active cooperation was not sought. The TF said, "There were about 70 Chinese fishing vessels near the NLL, but no active cooperation was sought regarding the missing person and the ongoing rescue efforts. According to the 'Agreement on the Prevention of Accidental Collision at Sea and the Cessation of Propaganda Activities and Removal of Propaganda Means in the Military Demarcation Line Area' signed by the South and North on June 4, 2004, it is stipulated to use the international common maritime network and auxiliary means such as airflow and light signal regulations, but these were also not utilized."

The TF stated, "The Blue House showed no interest in the situation where its citizens went missing near the NLL, and despite the Coast Guard and military conducting search and rescue operations on site, many available means were not utilized, resulting in a complacent response. The Moon Jae-in administration, which has yet to reveal the truth to the public, must promptly disclose the truth and apologize to the people."