Assemblyman Yoon Jae-gap Criticizes North Korea's 'Inhumane Killing Acts'

Democratic Party of Korea Representative Yoon Jae-gap (Haenam·Wando·Jindo) / ⓒ Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 21st, an incident occurred in which Mr. A (47), a public official from the Mokpo West Sea Fisheries Management Unit, originally from Wando-gun, went missing at sea near Yeonpyeong Island and was shot by North Korea.

In response, Representative Yoon Jae-gap (Democratic Party, Haenam·Wando·Jindo) issued a statement on the 25th, expressing “deep condolences for the tragic death as a member of the National Assembly representing the region, and strongly condemning the inhumane actions of the North Korean authorities.”

Representative Yoon explained, “Generally, when a vessel crosses the Northern Limit Line (NLL) of the West Sea or drifts at sea beyond it, international norms require prompt rescue and humanitarian aid,” adding, “According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, assistance must be provided to any person in distress at sea unless it poses a serious threat to one’s own vessel.”

He continued, “Over the past 10 years, our government has rescued 187 North Korean residents who crossed south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and has spared no effort in providing various forms of support and humanitarian aid,” emphasizing, “North Korea’s brutal act violating these international norms and humanitarian principles is a heinous crime that cannot be understood or tolerated under any circumstances.”

Representative Yoon Jae-gap urged, “The North Korean authorities must immediately and sincerely respond to our government’s demands for an apology, a clear investigation, punishment of those responsible, and measures to prevent recurrence of this atrocity.”

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