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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: South Korea’s Nationwide Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon talks to reporters after assembly with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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By Hyonhee Shin
SEOUL (Reuters) – A former South Korean nationwide safety advisor was arrested on Saturday over his suspected manipulation of a 2020 case the place a fisheries official was killed at sea by North Korean troops.
The homicide case has sparked controversy because the household of the official, Lee Dae-jun, refuted claims by the administration of former President Moon Jae-in that he sought to defect to the North attributable to playing money owed, psychological well being points and an sad life.
The incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol’s authorities has reversed that interpretation, saying there was no proof of a defection try. Prosecutors additionally launched an investigation into Lee’s dying and a 2019 case wherein two North Korean fishermen had been deported to the remoted nation in opposition to their will.
Moon’s then nationwide safety advisor, Suh Hoon, faces allegations that he had ordered intelligence stories to be deleted to hide Lee’s killing and manipulated proof to help the defection declare.
The Seoul Central District Courtroom, following a 19-hour deliberation, granted an arrest warrant for Suh on Saturday, citing “the gravity of the difficulty, the standing of the suspect, and the chance of proof destruction.”
Suh, who additionally served as a spy chief, declined to reply reporters’ questions when he appeared for the deliberation, however has denied the allegations and accused the Yoon authorities of political retaliation.
“It’s unimaginable to control a case that stakes a citizen’s life and honour,” Suh informed a information convention in October, saying he made selections primarily based on analyses of intelligence and circumstantial proof.
Yoon’s ruling Individuals Energy occasion stated Moon and his aides “not solely let Lee die however killed his honour by claiming his defection whereas treading on eggshells round (North Korean chief) Kim Jong Un’s regime.”
“Now just one individual stays past the road of reality – former President Moon,” Individuals Energy stated in an announcement.
Yoon’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark however has stated prosecutors function independently and it was not concerned of their investigations.
Suh’s arrest prompted debate amongst lawmakers over whether or not prosecutors would develop the investigation to hunt prison fees in opposition to Moon, who prioritised inter-Korean reconciliation till his time period led to Could.
Moon has denounced the investigation as “going too far” and issued an announcement this week accusing the Yoon administration of creating groundless claims and politicising safety points.
Lee’s brother, Lee Rae-jin, issued an announcement refuting Moon’s remark, saying his authorities did not rescue Lee and is now bent on “wordplay”. He criticised Moon for demanding proof to indicate why his brother didn’t defect, with out presenting any proof to again his personal declare.
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