Kim Byungjoo Sheds Tears After Rescuing Young Koreans in Cambodia: "The State Must Protect the Lives of Its Citizens"
Kim Byungjoo Explains to Korean Community in Cambodia Over Criticism
"The State's Duty Is to Protect the Lives of Its Citizens"
Kim Byungjoo, the head of the Democratic Party of Korea’s Overseas Korean National Safety Task Force, stated that while the young Koreans who suffered confinement, abduction, and assault in Cambodia might be both victims and perpetrators, “the first responsibility of the state is to protect the lives of its citizens.”
On MBC Radio’s “Kim Jongbae’s Focus” on the 20th, Kim said, “If you investigate the young people rescued from the den of evil, I believe they may be both victims and perpetrators. Some were coerced, but they also committed fraud, so there are likely victims in Korea as well.”
However, Kim emphasized, “Nevertheless, what the state must do first is to protect the lives of its citizens. The priority is to rescue them, repatriate them to Korea as quickly as possible, conduct an investigation, impose legal punishment, and then help them return to normal life. That is the role of the state and of politics.” He added, “If they remain in that den of evil, their lives cannot be guaranteed, so the rescue is only natural.”
Addressing criticism from the Korean expatriate community regarding his actions, Kim told reporters, “Due to the urgent local situation, I was unable to properly express my gratitude or provide a full explanation.” He said, “We had to use whatever route would get them out in the shortest possible time. It was an extremely desperate situation where failure was not an option, so we were very busy.”
Meeting with reporters, Kim said, “I have acted with the resolve to risk my life for the country and its people,” and wiped away tears with his handkerchief, adding, “I hope there are no misunderstandings.”
Previously, as the head of the party’s Overseas Korean National Safety Task Force, Kim was dispatched to Cambodia from the 15th to the 18th and announced on his Facebook page on the 18th that he had rescued three young Koreans who had been detained in Cambodia.
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In response, a member of the Korean community in Cambodia wrote on Facebook, “Assemblyman Kim did not attend the meeting with expatriates, and later posted a ‘heroic tale’ on social media as if he had led the rescue operation, which only hurt the feelings of the community further.” The post also pointed out that “the young person rescued by Kim was not a victim, but rather someone who was more like a suspect arrested by the Cambodian police.”
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