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North Korea shot and killed a South Korean government official who came to its shores and burned his body. Here's a thread collecting what we know now:
Around noon KST of Sept 21, it was reported that a minor South Korean government worker who was monitoring the fishing activities in the western coast went missing. South Korean police and military began the search that afternoon. https://news.v.daum.net/v/20200924184254220
About 24 hours later around 3 to 4 pm of Sept 22, South Korean authorities received intelligence that the government worker was discovered off the coast of North Korea, and the government worker had planned to cross to the North. President Moon was notified around 6:30 pm.
South Korean military believes the government worker was executed shortly before 10 pm on the same day. South Korean military could observe the fire as the North Korean military burned the government worker's body. Defense Minister was notified at around 11 pm.
At 1 am the following day, high level officials including the Defense Minister, Unification Minister, head of the National Intelligence Service, and Senior Presidential Secretaries. Around the same time, President Moon's pre-recorded speech was airing at the UN General Assembly.
At 8:30 am of Sept 23, President Moon received the report. South Korean military sent a demand for investigation to North Korea through the UN Command around 4:30 pm. Later that evening, news media began reporting the incident.
Blue House statement: "We deeply regret this shocking incident, which is unacceptable for any reason." President Moon also instructed the South Korean military to "make all preparations to protect the life and safety of the people." https://twitter.com/TheBlueHouseKR/status/1309057600798052352
The Defense Committee of the National Assembly also adopted a unanimous bipartisan resolution denouncing the "inhuman atrocity," a "serious military provocation against the Republic of Korea" for which "the North Korean regime is entirely responsible." https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200924205900001
North Korea has had a shoot-to-kill order at the border for any attempted crossing since February as a barbaric and rudimentary attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Reportedly, several smugglers from China were shot and killed in March and April. https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005996156&plink=TWEET&cooper=TWITTER
The slain government worker reportedly was deeply in debt and running from loan sharks. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200924120300054 He reached the North Korean shore by abandoning his ship and taking a flotation device when the tide turned northward. http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0015045512&code=61111111
We will update this thread throughout the day whenever there is a significant development. There will also be a special edition TBR Newsletter later today to provide a roundup. Please sign up below to receive the update - it's free and takes only seconds. https://www.blueroofpolitics.com/newsletter/
