Human Rights Commission Launches Investigation into Allegations of Democratic Party Lawmakers 'Coercing Families of West Sea Killing Victims'

On the 2nd, at the 2nd floor of Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal in Jung-gu, Incheon, during the memorial service for Lee Dae-jun (47 at the time of death), a civil servant killed in the West Sea, his older brother Lee Rae-jin (57) is offering flowers. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The National Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into allegations that Democratic Party lawmakers attempted to coax the bereaved families of the 'West Sea Public Official Killing Incident.'

Earlier, Lee Rae-jin, a bereaved family member of the slain public official, publicly claimed that Democratic Party lawmakers Hwang Hee and Kim Cheol-min tried to persuade her to "admit to defecting to the North and receive compensation." Both lawmakers immediately denied the allegations, calling them untrue.

In this regard, the Human Rights Commission stated in a written response submitted to the office of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup yesterday, "On the 29th of last month, a petition case was filed regarding 'a lawmaker's attempt to coax the bereaved family of the slain public official for compensation,' and it will be handled according to the procedures under the National Human Rights Commission Act."

The Human Rights Commission is known to plan to begin by conducting testimony investigations targeting the Democratic Party lawmakers. According to the Human Rights Act, if the investigation finds criminal acts, the case can be referred to the prosecution. If human rights violations are recognized, disciplinary recommendations can be made to the heads of the affiliated institutions. The Commission must notify the petitioner of the results within 90 days of receiving the petition.

On the 29th of last month, ahead of the accuser investigation at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Lee Rae-jin held a briefing stating, "Immediately after the incident, lawmakers Hwang Hee and Kim Cheol-min coaxed me by saying they would provide compensation if I admitted to defecting to the North," and claimed, "Lawmaker Kim persuaded me by saying, 'We are from the same Honam region, aren't we on the same side? Think of your young nephew and admit to defecting to the North and receive compensation.'"

Regarding these claims, Lawmaker Hwang said, "I never said I would give anything if you admitted to defecting to the North," adding, "I once said that the deceased could become a 'symbolic figure' to prevent further tragic incidents involving civilians." Lawmaker Kim also refuted, saying, "The very idea that I tried to coax her in a public setting is unreasonable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.