Prosecutors Summon Former National Security Office 1st Deputy Director Kim Yu-geun Over 'Forced Repatriation of North Korean Fishermen'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Public Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-beom), which is investigating the 'Forced Repatriation of North Korean Fishermen Incident,' is questioning former Blue House National Security Office First Deputy Director Kim Yu-geun on the 19th.

The prosecution is investigating allegations that in November 2019, the joint investigation of two North Korean fishermen, who are presumed to have killed 16 fellow crew members, conducted by the North Korea-related line within the Moon Jae-in administration's Blue House and the National Intelligence Service, was prematurely terminated without legal grounds, and that despite their intention to defect, they were forcibly sent back to North Korea.

About three hours before the forced repatriation, around noon on November 7, 2019, former Panmunjom Joint Security Area (JSA) Battalion Commander Im Eui-jin sent a text message to former Deputy Director Kim, which was captured by media cameras and brought the incident to public attention. The message conveyed the intention to "repatriate two North Korean residents from Panmunjom." At that time, former Deputy Director Kim was attending a full meeting of the National Assembly's Special Budget and Accounts Committee.

In relation to this, the North Korean Human Rights Database Center (NKDB) Human Rights Violation Support Center filed a complaint in July requesting punishment of former Deputy Director Kim and others for abuse of authority, which led to the start of the prosecution's investigation.

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