'Forced Repatriation Allegations of Defector Fishermen' Former Chief of Staff Noh Young-min Appears at Prosecutors' Office

[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' case, is summoning former Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min on the morning of the 19th as a suspect for questioning.

Former Chief of Staff Noh is suspected of being involved in forcibly sending back two North Korean fishermen, who are presumed to have killed 16 fellow crew members in November 2019, to North Korea. The vessel carrying the fishermen was seized by our navy on November 2, 2019. Two days later, on the 4th, the National Intelligence Service investigated that the repatriation policy was decided at a Blue House countermeasure meeting presided over by former Chief of Staff Noh. The People Power Party's National Security Disorder Investigation Task Force filed a complaint with the prosecution last August against former Chief of Staff Noh and others on charges including abuse of authority, illegal arrest and detention, and dereliction of duty.

The prosecution previously questioned former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul as a suspect on the 20th and 21st of last month. A month later, they summoned former Chief of Staff Noh, who is another superior. After questioning former Chief of Staff Noh, the prosecution is expected to summon former Blue House National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong and former National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon, who were at the top of the decision-making structure at the time.

In addition to the senior officials, the investigation team also summoned former Blue House National Security Office First Deputy Director Kim Yoo-geun and former National Intelligence Service Third Deputy Director Kim Jun-hwan last month for questioning. Former Deputy Director Kim is the person who received a text message on the day of the fishermen's repatriation from former Joint Security Area (JSA) Security Battalion Commander Im Eui-jin stating, "This is Colonel Dan-gyeol ○○. At 3 p.m. today at Panmunjom, two North Korean residents are scheduled to be sent back to the North." Former Deputy Director Kim is suspected of being involved in removing expressions such as "forced investigation needed" and "defection" and adding "no evidence of anti-state activities" while delivering a report containing the National Intelligence Service joint investigation situation to the Ministry of Unification.

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