Memorial Rally Held for North Korea-Shot Official: "Do Not Dishonor Their Noble Sacrifice"

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A memorial rally for A (47), a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot and killed by North Korean forces in the northern waters of Soyeonpyeongdo in the West Sea, was held around 6 p.m. on the 24th in front of the Hyundai Shipbuilding Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

At the rally hosted by youth organizations including Dreaming Youth, A’s older brother Lee Rae-jin (55) held a press conference as a representative of the bereaved family, saying, "Do not disgrace such a precious sacrifice any longer due to the military’s inconsistent stance and the Coast Guard’s inadequate investigation," and requested, "(North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman) Kim Jong-un to promptly repatriate my brother’s remains and conduct a joint investigation."

He also read a eulogy titled "Tears of the People" and added, "Our family will do our best until the day my brother’s name is proudly revealed."

Following this, a letter from Fred and Cindy Warmbier, the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was detained in North Korea for 17 months and died after being returned in a coma, was read aloud.

In the letter read by the organizers, Fred and Cindy Warmbier stated, "President Moon Jae-in should stand in solidarity with Mr. Lee Rae-jin to find a solution to this situation and fight against North Korea’s lies."

Mr. Lee also disclosed a letter sent by A’s son to his father.

In the handwritten letter, A’s son said, "I never imagined that the last call from Dad asking if I was doing well in my studies would be the final one, and it has already been over a month since Dad left us."

He continued, "People speak and judge as they please without knowing how we lived or the environment we grew up in," and stated, "The only person qualified to evaluate Dad is Mom, who has been with him for 20 years."

He said, "It will be painful, but I will fight to the end and win until Dad can rest in peace by restoring his honor," and added, "Although President Moon’s grandfather promised to uncover the truth and restore Dad’s honor, the Coast Guard’s announcement citing absurd reasons as evidence breaks me down."

He also said, "Dad’s legacy is to think about how to punish those who lightly regard the life of a powerless person just to survive," and "I will work on solving Dad’s legacy together with my uncle."

About 30 members of youth organizations, including Mr. Lee, participated in the rally and made statements emphasizing that the government must protect its citizens.