"Ordering Investigation in the South While Knowing It Is in the North"
Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung Accompanies Bereaved Families on Site That Day
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The People Power Party's task force (TF) investigating the truth behind the Marine Fisheries Department official shooting incident claimed that "on the day of the shooting, the Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense instructed the Navy and the Coast Guard to search in the wrong locations."
TF leader Representative Ha Tae-kyung made this statement at a press conference after conducting an on-site investigation of the accident area and arriving at the Incheon Coastal Passenger Terminal on the 3rd.
Representative Ha explained, "While the victim, Lee Dae-jun, was alive and being dragged underwater by North Korean soldiers for six hours, the Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense knew this fact but still instructed the Navy and Coast Guard to search in the wrong places."
He continued, "At that time, the Navy and Coast Guard, following instructions from the Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense, searched areas where it was impossible to find Mr. Lee, mainly focusing on the southern sea near Yeonpyeong Island," adding, "The Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense were aware that the Navy and Coast Guard were searching in the wrong locations but did not change their orders."
He further pointed out, "The distance was just about 3 km, closer than Dongbaek Island or Oryukdo," and said, "If our naval and coast guard vessels had approached and guarded the point in our territorial waters visible to the North, the North Korean military would not have recklessly endangered the life of a South Korean citizen."
Attorney Kim Ki-yoon, who accompanied the on-site investigation, stated, "If our government knew in the afternoon of the shooting day that Mr. Lee was in North Korean waters but still instructed the Navy and Coast Guard to search near Yeonpyeong Island, it would clearly constitute dereliction of duty," and added, "We will request an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection tomorrow regarding the Navy and Coast Guard's search operations on that day."
The on-site inspection was accompanied by the deceased Mr. Lee's brother, Lee Rae-jin, and TF civilian investigation committee member and former Navy Logistics Commander Kim Jin-hyung.
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