Moon calls N. Korea’s killing of S. Korean official ‘shocking,’ not tolerable for any reason

 President Moon Jae-in said Thursday that North Korea’s killing of a South Korean fisheries official is a “shocking” incident that can’t be tolerated for any reason.

He urged the North to take “responsible” measures in connection with the case, in which the 47-year-old man was shot dead by the country’s military near the western sea border, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.

The president ordered the military to further strengthen its security posture and get fully prepared to protect the lives and safety of the people, Kang said.

Moon issued the message after receiving a briefing on the results of the National Security Council (NSC) session earlier in the day.

According to the South’s defense authorities, the 47-year-old South Korean man was shot dead by North Korea’s military earlier this week. He was reported missing Monday from a South Korean fisheries patrol boat operating near the western sea border.

Cheong Wa Dae, meanwhile, strongly condemned the North for the act against “humanity, international norms and humanitarianism.”

However, Suh Choo-suk, deputy director of national security at the presidential office, said it’s not a violation of “the specific clauses” of the Sept. 19 comprehensive military agreement between the two Koreas signed in 2018.

Nonetheless, it constitutes damage to the spirit of the accord aimed at easing border tensions and building mutual trust, Suh added.