[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 17th, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the Navy for stating that it learned of the shooting of a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official through media reports, saying, "Did they hide the missing person's movements even from the Navy to avoid diminishing the effect of President Moon Jae-in's keynote speech at the UN?"
On the same day, Ha said on Facebook, "The Ministry of National Defense reported to President Moon that the missing official was found alive by North Korea three hours after intercepting North Korean communications," adding, "However, this fact was not conveyed to the Navy conducting search operations in the waters near Yeonpyeong Island."
Ha pointed out, "Because of this, the Navy had to search the wrong areas, unaware that North Korea had tied the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official with a rope, dragged him around, then shot and burned him," and added, "Although it is unclear whether knowing this at the time would have changed the outcome, at least some action could have been attempted."
He further stated, "At that time, communications were exchanged using North Korea's international shipping network. Therefore, at minimum, they could have informed about the disappearance of our citizen and requested that if found, he be returned," and said, "The Ministry of National Defense and the Blue House concealed this fact even from the Navy, which ultimately led to the tragedy."
Ha said, "This was just hours before President Moon's keynote speech at the UN calling for a declaration to end the war," and added, "President Moon must explain why the discovery of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official was hidden even from the Navy."
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