Government on North Korea's claim of 'South responsible for shooting': "Need to verify facts and reconnect military communication line"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter, Kim Dong-pyo Reporter]The government stated on the 30th that regarding North Korea's claim last month that the responsibility for the West Sea civil servant killing incident lies with the South, "We hope that North Korea's efforts for fact-finding and resolution will be promptly made," and "To this end, we urge the priority reconnection of the military communication line for inter-Korean communication."

On the same day, Ministry of National Defense Deputy Spokesperson Moon Hong-sik made this statement to reporters concerning the North's report that "the responsibility for the killing incident lies with the South."

At the regular briefing on the same day, Ministry of Unification Deputy Spokesperson Jo Hye-sil gave the same response when asked by the press about the Ministry of Unification's evaluation and stance on North Korea's claim.

The military communication lines in the East and West Sea areas between the South and North Korean military authorities have been cut off since June 9, after the North raised issues with South Korean civic groups' leaflet distribution to the North.

On the same day, through a report by the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea claimed regarding the West Sea civil servant shooting incident that "it was an incident caused by failing to properly manage and control its own residents," and "the South bears primary responsibility for causing this unfortunate incident."

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