Cheonanham Bereaved Families Association Urges Military Death Investigation Committee to "Immediately Withdraw Investigation Decision"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Families Association of the 46 Cheonan Ship Heroes urged the Presidential Military Death Incident Truth Commission (hereinafter the Commission) on the 2nd to immediately revoke the decision to commence an investigation into the Cheonan Ship attack incident.

On the same day, the Families Association, together with the Cheonan Ship Survivors' Comrades Association and the Cheonan Ship Foundation, issued a joint statement saying, "By making the decision to start an investigation without the consent of the parties involved?the families of the 46 heroes and the survivors?the Commission has damaged their honor and caused great pain."

The Families Association demanded, "The Commission should apologize to the families and survivors," and added, "The President and the government must clearly state their position on the Cheonan Ship sinking and ensure an apology or expression of regret from North Korea to restore the honor of the 46 Cheonan Ship heroes."

They also requested, "Measures should be taken to prevent recurrence of the defamation of the families and survivors caused by the Commission's decision to start the investigation," and warned, "If these demands are not met, we will strongly respond using all means, including legal action."

The Families Association criticized Mr. Shin Sang-chul, who filed the petition, stating, "He attended only once during the approximately two months of the Cheonan Ship Civil-Military Joint Investigation Team's activities," and pointed out, "Even after 10 years, he falsely claims the Cheonan Ship ran aground and is currently on trial as a defendant, thus he does not meet the requirements to be a petitioner."

Mr. Shin filed a petition last September requesting the cause of the Cheonan Ship attack incident be revealed, and the Commission decided to commence an investigation in December of the same year after a preliminary investigation.

The Commission judged that Mr. Shin, who served as a member of the Cheonan Ship Civil-Military Joint Investigation Team, meets the petitioner requirements as a "person who heard from a witness of the death incident."

Meanwhile, the Commission plans to hold an emergency meeting at 11 a.m. on the same day to decide whether to proceed with the investigation into the Cheonan Ship attack incident. Chairman Lee In-ram said after the families' protest visit the previous day, "Due to the nature of the matter, we plan to decide as quickly as possible whether to dismiss the case," indicating a high possibility that the case will be dismissed.

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