Tae Young-ho "No Change in North Korea... Let's Report to the International Criminal Court"

Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, is attending the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly last August and raising questions on current issues. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, stated on the 24th regarding the incident in which a public official who went missing on Yeonpyeong Island was shot and cremated by North Korea,

"North Korea has truly not changed at all. 'Will we remain silent this time as well?'"

In a post on his Facebook that day, Representative Tae said, "There are numerous suspicions surrounding this incident. Even as our citizens are dying, the government still seems to be cautious of North Korea," adding, "The government must now disclose all the information it has to remove doubts and strive to reveal the truth."

He also pointed out the 'Declaration of the End of the War' mentioned by President Moon Jae-in on the 23rd, saying, "It is said that this fact was reported to the Minister of National Defense around 11 a.m. on the 22nd. Coincidentally, in the early morning of the next day, the 23rd, President Moon Jae-in delivered a UN General Assembly speech advocating for a 'Declaration of the End of the War.' First, the Blue House should clarify whether this matter was reported to President Moon Jae-in on the night of the 22nd."

On the 21st, an incident occurred in the waters near Soyeonpyeongdo, the northernmost island in the West Sea, where a government official aboard this fishery patrol vessel went missing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "Even as our citizens are dying, the government still seems to be cautious of North Korea. The government must now disclose all the information it has to remove doubts and strive to reveal the truth," urging, "Our government should call for the formation of a joint investigation team with North Korea and clearly uncover the incident to resolve the suspicions and anger of our people. North Korea, considering future inter-Korean relations, should also boldly agree to the formation of a joint investigation team."

Representative Tae also referred to North Korea's demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office in June, stating, "The reason for a nation's existence lies in protecting the lives and property of its citizens. Our government has taken no effective measures regarding this. This time, our citizen has died," adding, "Our government must promptly refer this incident along with the previous demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office to the UN Security Council. Naturally, depending on the investigation results, those responsible should be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court."

Earlier, a public official aboard a fisheries guidance vessel on Soyeonpyeong Island, the northernmost island in the West Sea, went missing on the 21st. The missing person attempted to defect to the North but was shot and killed by the North Korean side, and it is understood that the North cremated the official's body. In response, the Ministry of National Defense announced on the 23rd, "At around 12:51 p.m. on the 21st, a report was received by the Coast Guard that one crew member of a fisheries guidance vessel belonging to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries went missing 1.2 miles (2 km) south of Soyeonpyeong Island."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.