Yoon Emphasizes 'Principle' in Investigation of Repatriation of Defectors... "Must Proceed According to Constitution and Laws" (Update)

President Yoon Avoids Direct Response to Illegal Hiring Controversy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 18th, President Yoon Seok-yeol commented on the prosecution's investigation and the National Intelligence Service's inquiry into the allegations of forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen, stating, "As president, I have nothing further to say beyond the principle that all state affairs must be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the law."

President Yoon made this remark on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office in the morning when reporters asked, "How do you view the release of photos showing the forced repatriation, and what is the focus of the ongoing investigation?"

The president refrained from making specific evaluations of the case, as such comments could be seen as directing the prosecution's investigation.

However, tensions between the presidential office and opposition parties have intensified over this issue. Jeong Eui-yong, former National Security Office chief under the Moon Jae-in administration, issued a statement titled "Position on the Expulsion of a Heinous Criminal" through the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young the day before, describing the North Korean fisherman in question as a "monstrous and bizarre murderer" and asserting that "he had no intention of defecting to South Korea from the start."

In response, Choi Young-beom, the chief spokesperson, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office, criticizing Jeong by saying, "The claim that there was no intention to defect is nonsense," and asked, "Then why were the handwritten defection intention letters ignored?" He emphasized, "The essence of this matter is that the Republic of Korea should have accepted these North Korean fishermen and handled them according to our laws, but instead, they were sent back to the North to their deaths as the North desired."

After Choi's briefing, lawmaker Yoon also posted on his social media, pointing out that the North Korean fishermen evaded our military for two days at sea, and rebutted, "Although there were handwritten letters of intent to defect, their sincerity could not be recognized."

Meanwhile, when asked about criticisms that fairness has been undermined amid the controversy over illegal hiring at the presidential office, President Yoon responded, "Any other questions?" and did not answer directly, proceeding to his office.

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