Jin Joong-kwon: "Shooting Defectors During Park Administration? Shin Dong-geun Should Compare Properly"

"Shooting of Defector Attempting to Cross North Was Action According to Guard Duty Regulations"
"However, Shooting of Defector Surrendering Was Inhumane... That Was What North Korea Did"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon for his remarks that "defecting to the North is a serious crime" regarding the case of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official Lee (47), who was shot and killed by North Korean soldiers.

On the 29th, former professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "It seems that Supreme Council member Shin does not understand well because he has not served in the military," and said, "Are we currently protesting that North Korean soldiers shot a defector from the North?"

He continued, "Originally, at the front line, those who refuse orders to stop and attempt to defect to the North are shot. Such individuals are considered so-called 'suspects for North Korea,'" adding, "No one criticizes this as inhumane treatment. It is a military action according to guard duty regulations."

He further explained, "However, even in such a strict military, they do not shoot defectors coming down from the North to the South," and pointed out, "If South Korean soldiers had shot a North Korean person coming south in search of freedom, that would be inhumane treatment, which is exactly what North Korea is doing now."

Former professor Jin criticized Supreme Council member Shin's remarks as "a social dialect understood only by the 40% concrete population."

Meanwhile, Supreme Council member Shin wrote on Facebook the same day that the missing official Lee was a "voluntary defector who crossed to the North," and said, "The claim that we should have risked armed conflict, even war, to capture him is reckless."

Shin pointed out, "Defecting to the North is a serious anti-state crime, and if it continues, shooting is also carried out," citing, "In September 2013, during the Park Geun-hye administration, there was a case where a civilian in his 40s was shot by our military while attempting to defect to the North."

He added, "It is widely known international common sense that once someone crosses the border beyond our sovereignty, there is no way to intervene," and criticized, "Claims that a patrol ship should have been dispatched or fighter jets should have been sent are the height of irresponsibility."

He also added, "It is shocking that such remarks came from the conservative opposition party, which claims to prioritize national security."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Korea Coast Guard announced interim investigation results judging that Lee had defected to the North.

At a briefing held at the Coast Guard headquarters in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, the Coast Guard explained, "When Lee was found in North Korean waters, he was exhausted, relying on floating debris, wearing a life jacket, and the North had detailed information about the missing person's name, age, hometown, and other personal details," and confirmed "circumstances indicating the missing person expressed an intention to defect to the North."