Coast Guard Requests Military Authorities for Data on North Korean Defector Official's Possible Defection Circumstances

On the morning of the 25th, officials from a vessel believed to be a coast guard ship are conducting an investigation on the fishing guidance vessel Mugunghwa 10, which was anchored near Yeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, where a missing Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official was on board.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] The Coast Guard, investigating the whereabouts of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries fisheries supervisor A (47), who went missing on Soyeonpyeongdo and was killed by North Korean soldiers, has requested various materials related to the circumstances of his defection to the North from the military authorities.

The military authorities are reportedly reviewing internally and have stated they will inform the Coast Guard by the 28th whether they will provide the requested materials.

In a press briefing on the afternoon of the 24th, the Incheon Coast Guard announced the results of the on-site investigation of the fisheries supervision vessel (Mugunghwa 10). According to the Coast Guard, there was no suicide note or memo from Mr. A, but it is true that he had expressed distress due to debts and other issues.

The Coast Guard did not find any other signs of Mr. A's defection to the North. Both closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed on board were broken, so his movements could not be confirmed.

Previously, the military authorities estimated that Mr. A defected to the North based on the fact that he was wearing a life jacket, abandoned his shoes when leaving the supervision vessel, and moved by boarding a small floating object.

However, Mr. A's brother opposed this in an interview with the media, saying, "On what grounds do they claim defection?" and "It doesn't make sense."

The Coast Guard is not ruling out the possibility of voluntary defection and is checking whether there are any North Korea-related search records on computers and other devices inside the fisheries supervision vessel. They also plan to analyze the voyage data recorder (VDR) on the Mugunghwa 10 to determine if Mr. A's voice is recorded.

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