Ha Tae-kyung: "Regarding the Killed Public Official, the President's First Report Said 'Fall' Not 'Defection to North Korea'"

Requesting Confirmation from Former National Security Office Director Suh Hoon

Hataekyung, head of the People Power Party's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries civil servant shooting incident fact-finding task force, is holding a meeting with the bereaved family member Lee Rae-jin at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Regarding the 'Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Official Shooting Incident,' Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, claimed, "There is a report that the written report submitted to the President at 6:36 PM on the 22nd (September 2020), about three hours before Lee Dae-jun's death, stated that it was a 'fall' rather than a 'defection to the North.'"

On the 28th, through his personal Facebook, Rep. Ha stated, "The door to access the sealed presidential designated records is opening," revealing this information. Ha is the head of the People Power Party's Task Force (TF) investigating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official shooting incident.

He continued, "The President's written report at that time was just one sentence," saying, "'There was an accident presumed to be a fall, and our citizen was found in North Korean waters.' That was all."

He further explained, "From the President's first report, we can understand two things: First, in the initial report to the President on the evening of the 22nd, there was no judgment of defection to the North; it was seen as a 'fall.' However, after the Blue House meeting on the 23rd, the government's position shifted to defection on the 24th. Second, although the President was clearly informed that the individual was found in North Korean waters?meaning Lee Dae-jun's location was confirmed?there was no instruction regarding rescue."

Rep. Ha added, "The Ministry of National Defense has already admitted responsibility for not actively utilizing available communication channels with the North at that time," and said, "Whether this report is true or not, former National Security Office Chief Suh Hoon would know very well. I hope Chief Suh will verify this. Former President Moon Jae-in would naturally be well aware of this information as well."