Reported to former President Moon prior to assassination and incineration
While Lee was alive, an intention to save North Korea was identified
Efforts to repatriate through negotiations appear to have been voiced
“Reported to avoid suspicion of concealment in North Korea”
“Obtaining a copy of the internal report” dismissed the leak
Suh Hoon (68), former head of National Security Bureau at the Blue House, arrested in the “West Sea Civil Servant Attack Incident”, was questioned before arrest (review of warrant). It turned out that he had filed a report with the president containing information that he told “Hard” to the court.
Summarizing the coverage of the Seoul Shinmun on the 7th, this document is the first written report that was sent to former President Moon Jae-in at around 6:30 pm on September 22, 2020 and was written before Lee knew it was was murdered and burned. According to the findings of the Audit and Inspection Commission’s investigation, it was around 10:00 pm on the same day that the National Security Bureau became aware of the circumstances surrounding the killing and incineration.
Seo’s side is known to have filed this document in response to the BAI and the prosecution’s point: “Why didn’t you actively rescue Mr. Lee at the time of the accident?” Judging from the North Korean side’s remarks, Lee was alive at the time, and it was pointed out that since the North Korean side was found to have a rescue intention, the situation was considering measures including repatriation through further negotiations. In particular, former Chief Seo’s side said, “At the time of the incident, I also intercepted ‘XXX (three digits by North Korean firearms standards)’, but it is difficult to know specifically whether this jargon means threatening the Mr. Lee by shooting or killing him. He is said to have denied the cover-up, saying, “We were looking for accurate confirmation of the attack and diplomatic measures.”
The judge is known to have pointed out, “There is also a position of the bereaved family, but isn’t it too hasty to predict and announce ‘worrisome for North Korea’?” In response, Chief Jeon’s side said, “According to Article 11 of the National Security Law, public officials engaged in criminal investigation or intelligence duties who knowingly commit a crime under the National Security Law and abandon their duties are punishable by imprisonment of up to 10. years.” “It is also true that the situation of North Korea has been identified, but it was reported that the possibility of North Korea was raised at the time because it may be covered up and later accused of ‘covering up for North Korea’.”
It is known that the prosecution could not secure the document. Attorney Kim Ki-yoon, legal representative of the bereaved family, said, “Despite the loss in the information disclosure lawsuit, it is hard to fathom that the prosecution was not even able to grasp this data in a situation in which whereby documents designated by the president, including matters reported to the president, are not disclosed to the bereaved family,” he insisted. As a result, when it was pointed out that “the president’s report was leaked,” Chief Seo’s side explained, “The document was a copy obtained during the internal reporting process and is not an illegal document.”
Reporter Baek Min-kyung
