Negative Comments from 'Moonppa' Supporters Poured on Bereaved Family Who Expressed Disappointment in Moon's Letter

Bereaved Family: "Content Already Repeatedly Disclosed on Broadcast"
Some Zealous Supporters Launch Harsh Criticism
"Suspicion of Manipulation by Brother Who Went North's Son" Conspiracy Theory Raised

Lee Rae-jin, the brother of the government official killed by North Korean gunfire, held a press conference after delivering the original handwritten letter written by the bereaved family to the Blue House Fountain Plaza in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 8th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] After the bereaved family of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot dead by North Korean soldiers expressed "disappointment" upon receiving a letter from President Moon Jae-in, some 'Moonppa' (a term referring to those who blindly support President Moon Jae-in) supporters unleashed harsh criticism against them. There were even conspiracy theories suggesting that "the deceased's older brother might be manipulating his younger brother's son."

The deceased official's older brother, Lee Rae-jin, stated on the 13th, "This morning, I received a reply letter sent by President Moon through registered mail at the post office."

According to Mr. Lee, the letter was about one A4 page in length and was typed on a computer rather than handwritten.

Regarding this, Mr. Lee said, "There were no additional measures or remarks beyond what I have repeatedly stated on broadcasts. It is hard to consider this a reply to the letter written by my high school son in a desperate heart. I feel disappointment and emptiness first."

However, some fervent supporters strongly criticized Mr. Lee's remarks, saying things like, "Who do you think you are to even demand a handwritten letter from the president?" and "You are just messing around."

One supporter wrote on the Facebook page of the Democratic Party members' group, "Do you think the president has such a leisurely job? Even if it’s not your business, the president has a headache," and raised suspicion, "Did you not instigate the student to write a letter just to find fault?"

Another supporter questioned, "Are you trying to criticize the president using the excuse that your younger brother defected voluntarily to the North? The president is not a rural chairman who has to respond to every such matter."

The family of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot and killed by North Korean forces revealed a reply letter they received from President Moon Jae-in on the 14th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the 14th, Mr. Lee disclosed the contents of the letter he received from President Moon. In the letter, President Moon expressed, "My heart ached deeply throughout reading your letter, which was filled with respect and sorrow for your father," and offered condolences, saying, "I deeply understand the feelings of a son who has lost his father."

He continued, "Currently, the Coast Guard and the military are investigating various situations and are making every effort to find your father," and emphasized, "I promise to personally oversee the entire process to ensure transparency and to uncover the truth."

He also requested, "Please wait for the results of the Coast Guard’s investigation and search," and urged, "I hope you take good care of your mother and younger sibling with a strong heart and endure the hardships."

The letter was a reply to a handwritten letter delivered to President Moon by A, the high school son of the deceased official.

Earlier, in a letter made public on the 5th, A had lamented, "What was this country doing when my father was cruelly killed?" and "Who has the right to ruin the head of a family overnight like this?"

Yoon Seong-hyun, Director of the Investigation Information Bureau of the Korea Coast Guard, announced the interim results of the investigation into the 'Soyeonpyeongdo Missing Official North Korean Shooting Incident' on the morning of the 29th of last month at the Korea Coast Guard in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. / Photo by Yonhap News

A also raised doubts about the interim investigation results by the Korea Coast Guard, which concluded that his father defected voluntarily to the North. He said about his father, "He never learned swimming professionally," and asked, "Do you really think it makes sense that he swam 39 km against the current?"

When the letter was made public, some pro-government online communities and social networking services (SNS) posted mocking comments such as, "Your father, a defector, has no honor," and "Pay off your father's gambling debts before worrying about his honor."

They also pointed out that the letter from A was delivered to the Blue House by Mr. Lee, raising suspicions such as, "Is the older brother blinded by money manipulating his nephew?" "Did the son really write it?" and "Is there a behind-the-scenes force?"

In response, the civic group 'Association of Judicial Exam Preparers' (Sajunmo) announced on the 6th that they had filed complaints against some netizens who wrote defamatory comments containing false information about Mr. Lee and A.

Sajunmo stated, "Due to some comments, the authenticity of the victim’s handwritten letter has been damaged, potentially misleading the public," and criticized, "I want to ask if those people have ever once considered the position of the victim’s family who will live a difficult life in Korea in the future."