Ha Tae-kyung Holds Maritime Memorial Ceremony with Families of North Korean Shooting Victims... "We Do Not Forget and Remember You"

"Coast Guard 'Completely Rules Out' Possibility of Slip... Will Uncover What Is Being Hidden"

[Image source=Photo by Ha Tae-kyung, People Power Party member]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 21st, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, visited Yeonpyeongdo Island together with Lee Rae-jin (55), the older brother of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot by North Korean forces. They stayed overnight on the Mugunghwa 15 and inspected the search situation, holding a small-scale maritime memorial service.

On the same day, Ha posted on Facebook, “Before the memorial service at 8 o’clock, we toured the Mugunghwa 15 and reviewed the circumstances of the disappearance one by one,” adding, “I hope the West Sea conveys to him that someone has not forgotten and is remembering him.”

Ha said, “First, during our search operations, we heard North Korea’s warning broadcasts through the international maritime network. It was a threat saying, ‘Your two vessels have intruded into our waters. Leave immediately. If you do not leave, we will take strong countermeasures.’ Hearing North Korea’s communications, I felt even more regretful that our military did not send a message to North Korea to return our citizen while the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official was still alive.”

Ha added, “Seeing the fisheries management vessel in person, I became convinced that it was highly likely the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official slipped and fell. Although it was not raining, the floor was very slippery, and the railing was not high. The wind was strong. Moreover, the Mugunghwa 10, from which the official went missing, is only one-third the size of the Mugunghwa 15 we are on now. He could have fallen while inspecting the speedboat or slipped at the smoking area at the stern or the adjacent railing,” he said. “The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation while completely ruling out the possibility of slipping. I will definitely uncover what they are trying to hide and distort.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ha said, “The life jackets presented by the military and Coast Guard as evidence of defection to the North were worn by everyone performing their duties,” explaining, “The life jackets used nowadays are designed to allow free arm movement, so wearing them is not cumbersome. Especially when going out on the deck rather than indoors, they must be worn.”

Ha continued, “Also, the fisheries management vessel staff all wore safety shoes during work. They never go out on the deck or stern wearing slippers because the floor is slippery and dangerous,” adding, “The absence of safety shoes among the belongings of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official means he was wearing safety shoes at the time of disappearance. Lee, the bereaved family member, said he was furious upon hearing the military and Coast Guard’s announcement that slippers were evidence of defection.”

Ha said, “Coming to the search site, I wondered if it would really be possible to find the remains of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official burned by North Korea in this vast open sea,” adding, “We must not give up even the slightest hope, but it certainly looks like a very difficult situation. That is why it is even more important for the government to protect the honor of the victim.”

Ha said, “Soon, I plan to hold a small memorial service with the bereaved family. We found the closest place to where he was killed after being dragged by the North Korean vessel,” adding, “I hope the West Sea will well deliver the grapes, tangerines, and coffee drinks that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official liked.”