Prosecutors Conduct First Summon and Investigation of Former NIS Director Seo Hoon over Alleged Forced Repatriation

Seo Hoon, former Director of the National Intelligence Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution investigating the 'forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen' case has summoned former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Seo Hoon for questioning for the first time.

The Public Investigation Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-beom) summoned former NIS Director Seo from the detention center on the morning of the 26th. The prosecution, which has indicted Seo on charges of covering up the 'West Sea shooting incident' and is nearing the conclusion of the investigation, appears to be accelerating the investigation into the repatriation process again.

Former Director Seo is accused of prematurely ending the joint investigation by the NIS during the forced repatriation process of two North Korean fishermen, who are presumed to have killed 16 fellow crew members in November 2019, despite their expressed intention to defect.

The vessel carrying them was seized by the South Korean Navy on November 2, 2019. On the same day, the NIS reported to the National Security Office that the two fishermen had expressed their intention to defect, but the government’s stance reportedly changed starting from a Blue House countermeasure meeting held two days later on November 4.

At that meeting, the government decided on a policy of forced repatriation and instructed the NIS to deliver the joint investigation report to the Ministry of Unification. The NIS leadership is reported to have deleted the 'expression of intention to defect and recommendation for forced investigation' from the joint investigation report and instead sent a report concluding 'no evidence of anti-state activities' to the Ministry of Unification. Ultimately, the two fishermen were repatriated through Panmunjom on November 7.

The NIS had previously conducted its own investigation and reported former Director Seo to the prosecution on charges of violating the National Intelligence Service Act (abuse of authority) and falsifying official documents.

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