Park Ji-hyun Apologizes for Misreporting '2002 Cheonan Ship Attack' Incident: "No Excuse"

Confusion Between Cheonan Ship and Second Battle of Yeonpyeong

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, apologized saying "there is no excuse" after mistakenly confusing the Cheonan ship sinking incident with the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in a post on SNS commemorating the heroes of the West Sea Defense Day.

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 25th, Co-Chair Park wrote on her Facebook, "I will always remember the heroes who defended the country. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the surprise attack by North Korea near Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea," adding, "I will never forget the fifty-five West Sea defense heroes who defended the West Sea to the end against the surprise attack by North Korea's submarine on March 26, 2002."

However, the Cheonan ship sinking incident caused by a North Korean submarine attack occurred on March 26, 2010, marking its 12th anniversary this year, and took place near Baengnyeong Island, not Yeonpyeong Island.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong. On June 29, 2002, two North Korean patrol boats crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) near Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea and launched a surprise attack on the South Korean Navy's Chamsuri 357 patrol boat, resulting in a naval engagement.

Furthermore, the number of 55 casualties mentioned by Co-Chair Park was the combined total of 6 heroes from the Cheonan ship sinking incident, 47 heroes from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, and 2 heroes from the Yeonpyeong Island shelling.

Following criticism of the post, Co-Chair Park said, "I sincerely apologize to the bereaved families and survivors who may have been hurt. I also apologize to everyone who was disappointed by this incident."

Meanwhile, on the same day (the 25th), Co-Chair Park attended the '7th West Sea Defense Day Commemoration Ceremony' held at Daejeon National Cemetery. West Sea Defense Day was established to honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the Cheonan ship sinking, and the Yeonpyeong Island shelling provocations, and is observed annually on the fourth Friday of March.