Brother of North Korea-Killed Official: "Hasty to Frame as Defector, Inadequate Investigation... Punish Those Involved"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Lee Rae-jin (56), the brother of a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in the northern waters of Soyeonpyeongdo in the West Sea, repeatedly urged punishment and investigation of those responsible for the incident.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Lee held a press conference in front of the Blue House fountain and stated, "It has been revealed that the Coast Guard hastily framed the case as a defection to the North, committed misconduct, and conducted a negligent and false investigation, so criminal responsibility must be held against those involved."

Lee said, "After reading the decision announced yesterday by the National Human Rights Commission, I felt utterly devastated," and added, "Criminal charges against those involved and a strong message from the President are necessary."

Lee insisted that future investigations should be handled by the prosecution or a special investigation team, not the Coast Guard. He also demanded the immediate dismissal of those responsible, including Kim Hong-hee, Commissioner of the Coast Guard; Yoon Sung-hyun, Director of the Coast Guard Investigation Information Bureau; and Kim Tae-gyun, Chief of the Coast Guard Criminal Division.

Lee’s younger brother, A, went missing in September last year in the northern waters of Soyeonpyeongdo in the West Sea and was later shot dead by North Korean soldiers. Afterwards, the Coast Guard announced that before his death, A had gambled with over 700 million won and had debts exceeding 100 million won, suggesting that he defected to the North to escape reality. The Human Rights Commission judged that the Coast Guard’s disclosure of A’s debt status and other private information violated the dignity and honor of the bereaved family and recommended that the Coast Guard Commissioner and related personnel be warned.

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