Prosecutors Summon Jeong U-yong, Former National Security Office Chief, Over 'Forced Repatriation' Case

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Public Investigation Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-beom), which is investigating the 'Forced Repatriation of Defector Fishermen Incident,' summoned former Blue House National Security Office Chief Chung Eui-yong on the 31st as a suspect and is currently questioning him.

The prosecution is questioning former Chief Chung, who served as the control tower for the security line including the National Intelligence Service, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Unification, regarding any illegal activities throughout the process of repatriating the North Korean fishermen.

Former Chief Chung was reported to a North Korean human rights organization in July last year for overseeing the forced repatriation process despite two North Korean fishermen, accused of killing 16 fellow crew members in November 2019, expressing their intention to defect.

The North Korean fishermen were captured by the military on November 2, 2019, near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea while heading south on a fishing boat. At that time, the government stated that those who committed serious non-political crimes such as murder were not subjects of protection and repatriated them five days after capture.

Regarding this case, the prosecution has been conducting investigations by summoning key suspects and witnesses following complaints from civic groups and the National Intelligence Service in July last year. Summoning former Chief Chung, who is effectively identified as the final decision-maker and superior, suggests that the case is entering its final stages. Previously, in August last year, the prosecution raided the Presidential Archives and summoned former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul and former Blue House Chief of Staff Noh Young-min for questioning. In December last year, former National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon was also summoned and questioned.