"Lee Jaemyung Administration Must Disclose the Truth to the Public"
Jin Jongo, a former national shooting team member and a lawmaker from the People Power Party, has exposed the circumstances of tens of thousands of live rounds for competition being illegally distributed, strongly criticizing the government's silence.
Jin Jongo, a former national shooting team member and a member of the People Power Party, exposed the circumstances of tens of thousands of live rounds for competition being illegally distributed, strongly criticizing the government's silence. Yonhap News
On September 22, Assemblyman Jin posted a lengthy statement on his Facebook page, asserting, "Nothing can take precedence over the lives of the people," and questioned the full story behind the leak of live ammunition and the government's responsibility.
According to Assemblyman Jin, during a special investigation into the rumors of an assassination and shooting attempt against President Lee Jaemyung that surfaced during the last presidential election, the police apprehended individuals involved in the illegal manufacturing and distribution of firearms. In the process, 30,000 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, typically used for competitions, were recovered. However, he pointed out, "It is reported that more than 20,000 rounds have already spread into the market," adding, "We still do not know whose hands they have ended up in."
The individuals suspected of handing over the ammunition are a current shooting team coach, referred to as Mr. A, and a former national team coach, referred to as Mr. B. It is known that they conspired to provide the ammunition to an illegal firearms distributor. On August 29, the police searched their vehicles and homes, securing an additional 200 rounds each. Then, on September 18, the police completed a second round of suspect interrogations and compiled a 60-page investigation report.
Assemblyman Jin emphasized the danger, saying, ".22 caliber ammunition is generally considered low-risk due to its low recoil and small size, but it can be fatal if it strikes a critical area of the body. At close range, it can penetrate the brain, heart, or lungs."
He specifically suggested that the government might be hiding the incident out of concern for the country’s image ahead of the APEC summit, stating, "This amount of ammunition could arm an entire military battalion. I do not even want to imagine what could have happened if this ammunition had fallen into the hands of criminal organizations or terrorists."
He demanded that the police immediately disclose the exact quantity and current location of the competition-grade ammunition they have secured. He also insisted that the government transparently release a timetable detailing the reporting process for this incident-when, to whom, and how the information was delivered. Furthermore, he called for a comprehensive investigation not only into the Korea Shooting Federation but also into the supervisory bodies, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Assemblyman Jin criticized the government, saying, "The public knows every move of the special prosecutor, yet are left in the dark about a live ammunition leak that directly concerns their safety. The government is conducting a closed-door investigation, excluding the people."
He continued, "Although this incident exposes the shortcomings of the shooting community, which is my own background, there is no truth that should be hidden when it comes to the lives of the people. If the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee had established a proper management system, this would not have happened."
Finally, Assemblyman Jin warned, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must clarify this matter transparently before the public. Only then can international events like APEC truly be considered a success."
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