Constitutional Petition by Brother of North Korea-Shot Official: "Presidential Records Act Conceals Brother's Death"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The bereaved family of the public official who was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in the West Sea has filed a constitutional complaint, arguing that the provision of the 'Presidential Records Management Act' allowing national security-related information to be kept confidential is unconstitutional.

On the 13th, Lee Rae-jin (57), the brother of the slain public official, and legal representative Attorney Kim Ki-yoon held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court main gate to file the constitutional complaint, stating, "The president's attempt to hide the truth by designating presidential records immediately after leaving office is inhumane and violates the Constitution."

Our Presidential Records Act allows military, diplomatic, and unification records that could pose a serious threat to national security to be designated as presidential records and kept confidential for up to 15 years (30 years for records related to private life).

Lee also filed a provisional injunction requesting the suspension of the effect of the Presidential Records Act until the Constitutional Court's decision.

The slain public official, Lee, was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in the northern waters of the West Sea in September 2020. It is reported that the North Korean soldiers burned his body after shooting him. Lee's family filed an information disclosure lawsuit against the Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense to verify the circumstances of the killing and partially won the case in November last year, but the government appealed.

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