[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] President Yoon Suk-yeol sent a letter of consolation and encouragement to the son of the late Lee Dae-jin, a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was killed by North Korean soldiers near Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea.
According to Lee’s bereaved family on the 29th, President Yoon sent a letter on the 22nd to the family’s home in response to a thank-you letter he received from Lee’s son on the 17th.
In the letter, President Yoon wrote to Lee’s son, "My heart ached at your words that you lost your father, your dreams, and that the springtime of your twenties was not allowed," and added, "Although efforts to uncover the truth have made some progress since meeting your family, it is truly shameful and regrettable that the state inflicted an irreparable wound on the bereaved family."
He continued, "The wounds may not have healed yet, but I hope your courage to restore your father’s honor and reveal the truth will not stop in your life," and wrote, "I believe that a country with the power to face and reveal the truth can truly be a nation of its people."
Finally, he said, "All citizens will believe in the power of truth and remember your father," and added, "You are now twenty years old. The springtime of your life has not even begun. We will stand with you so that your dreams can illuminate our society."
Meanwhile, Lee’s bereaved family filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against former National Security Office Chief Seo Hoon, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jong-ho, former Blue House Secretary for Civil Affairs Lee Kwang-cheol, and other Blue House officials related to Lee’s killing. The Public Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Choi Chang-min), which is investigating the case, plans to summon Lee’s older brother, Lee Rae-jin, for a complainant investigation in the afternoon.
Lee Dae-jin, who worked as a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official, was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in September 2020 in the northern waters of the West Sea. It is reported that the North Korean soldiers burned his body after shooting him. At the time, the Coast Guard announced an interim investigation result eight days after Lee went missing, concluding that Lee had defected to the North based on intercepted intelligence by military and intelligence authorities and his debts. However, the final investigation result announced on the 16th overturned the previous announcement, stating that "no intention of defection was found."
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