"Deep Responsibility for Investigation of Shot Public Official"... Collective Resignation of Command Including Coast Guard Chief (Comprehensive)

Jung Bong-hoon, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, is making a public apology on the 22nd regarding the investigation of the 'West Sea Shooting of Public Officials' incident that occurred in September 2020. 2022.6.22 [Photo by Korea Coast Guard]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Nine senior officials of the Korea Coast Guard, including Commissioner Jeong Bong-hoon, who hold the rank of Inspector General or higher, collectively tendered their resignations on the 24th, taking responsibility for the investigation related to the 'West Sea Shooting of Public Official' incident.

At around 11:20 a.m. that day, Commissioner Jeong said in a video conference attended by commanders nationwide, "As of this moment, I am stepping down from my position as Commissioner of the Coast Guard," adding, "I have tried my best to protect the organization amid the recent crisis that has befallen us."

He explained his reason for resignation, saying, "After long deliberation, I have concluded that the only answer for our Coast Guard to overcome this crisis and be reborn is to form a new leadership team."

Commissioner Jeong also urged the staff, "Please unite your hearts with the new leadership to overcome this crisis and build a healthy and strong organization that will not bring shame to our juniors."

On the same day, eight other senior officials holding the rank of Inspector General or higher also expressed their intention to resign, including Seo Seung-jin, Deputy Commissioner of the Coast Guard (Inspector General); Kim Byung-ro, Commissioner of the Central Coast Guard (Inspector General); Kim Yong-jin, Director of Planning and Coordination (Inspector); Lee Myung-jun, Director of the Security Bureau (Inspector); Kim Sung-jong, Director of the Investigation Bureau (Inspector); Kim Jong-wook, Commissioner of the West Sea Coast Guard (Inspector); Yoon Sung-hyun, Commissioner of the South Sea Coast Guard (Inspector); and Kang Sung-ki, Commissioner of the East Sea Coast Guard (Inspector).

During the Moon Jae-in administration, the Coast Guard announced that the public official who was shot was deemed to have defected to North Korea, but about a month after the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, they released an investigation result that completely contradicted the previous one, stating there was no evidence to conclude defection, which drew public criticism.

In September 2020, one week after Lee Dae-jun (aged 47 at the time of death), a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official, was shot dead by North Korean soldiers in the West Sea, the Coast Guard announced an interim investigation result concluding that he had defected to North Korea.

The main evidence included intelligence from military authorities intercepting North Korean communication signals and maritime drift prediction results analyzed by specialized agencies. The Coast Guard also disclosed that Lee frequently gambled and had debts before his death, citing these as grounds for the defection judgment.

However, on the 16th, after one year and nine months, the Coast Guard held a press briefing and reversed the investigation result, stating they could not find evidence of Lee's intention to defect.

Regarding this, the Coast Guard explained, "At the early stage of the incident, based on the Ministry of National Defense's position that it was judged as defection and information independently confirmed by the Coast Guard, we concluded that Lee had defected. However, in June last year, we requested SI (Special Intelligence) necessary for the investigation from the Ministry of National Defense, but the Ministry did not provide the materials, so we were unable to secure evidence to prove the defection-related charges."

They further explained, "The intent to defect requires strict proof, and the consensus of the Investigation Review Committee was that the information in this case could not be used as 'evidence' under the rules of evidence. Considering the impossibility of securing evidence for the initial defection charge and the practical benefits of litigation in a case where the subject is deceased, this case was closed."

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