NIS Withdraws Complaints Against Suh Hoon, Park Jie-won in East and West Sea Cases: "Justice Delayed"

Park Jie-won: "The Prosecution Should Also Withdraw Its Appeal"

The National Intelligence Service announced on December 29 that it will withdraw the complaints filed during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration in connection with the "Repatriation of North Korean Fishermen in the East Sea" case and the "Killing of a Public Official in the West Sea" case. Previously, on December 26, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted former National Security Office Director Suh Hoon and Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jie-won (former NIS Director) of abuse of authority charges related to the West Sea incident.

The National Intelligence Service stated, "Through special audits and inspections conducted since the current administration took office, we have confirmed that the complaints were problematic both factually and legally," and added, "We sincerely apologize to former Director Suh, Assemblyman Park, other parties involved in the case, and the public for the hardships caused by these unjust complaints."

On the same day, Assemblyman Park expressed on social media that this was "justice delayed." He further stated, "Now that the National Intelligence Service, as the party involved, has withdrawn the complaints, the prosecution should also withdraw its appeal, and the prosecutors who led the investigation at the time should be held accountable through inspections and investigations."