Arguments Over Governmental Confrontation Procedure on Kim Sun-il Case Heat Up

Arguments Over Governmental Confrontation Procedure on Kim Sun-il Case Heat Up. June. 24, 2004 21:10. by Jung-Hun Kim Jong-Koo Yoon jnghn@donga.com jkmas@donga.com.

In the murder case of Kim Sun-il, a 34-year-old employee of Gana Trade Corporation, it became known on June 24 that Chong Wa Dae has decided to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the procedures of governmental confrontation surrounding the incident.

“After finishing the funeral ceremony of Kim and settling down the incident, we will thoroughly check on the problems caused during the process of confrontation during this incident jointly with the National Security Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Chief Presidential Secretary Office for Civil Affairs,” said a high-level official of Chong Wa Dae today.

He added “President Roh Moo-hyun is determined to unveil every bit of the process of governmental confrontation to the people and call the people concerned to account if there is anything to be blamed for. Though there will be no reprimand in terms of looking for someone to victimize, disciplinary action cannot be avoided should any dereliction of duty be discovered.”

In particular, he explained that “should the time point of Kim’s abduction be May 31, isn’t it impossible for this just to be passed over?” suggesting that a disciplinary reprimand of diplomatic and overseas intelligence bodies might be indispensable in accordance with the investigation outcome.

On the other hand, the Associated Press Television Network reported that it had obtained a videotape, including the scene of Kim being abducted, early this month and inquired, on June 3, of Korean foreign ministry as to whether or not Kim Sun-il had been kidnapped and his personnel identity via its branch office in Seoul.

Although the APTN didn’t report it at the time because the foreign ministry answered, “We haven’t been informed of a Korean kidnapping;” when the incident broke, APTN disclosed the videotape.

Through the AP’s Media Relations Chief Jack Stokes, on the afternoon of this day, the Associated Press officially said that “our correspondent in Seoul telephoned the Korean foreign ministry on June 3 to ask if they are aware of a Korean named Kim Sun-il has been missing in Iraq; the official answered ‘We don’t know about the abduction of the Korean you named or that he is missing.’” The AP stated that they didn’t touch on the videotape at the time.

On the two to three minute-long videotape, Kim Sun-il explained his birth date and place, and his family, to someone in English, criticizing the U.S.’s aggressive acts against Iraq.

“As the video-tape disclosed by the AP has brought about a critical and serious problem to the foreign ministry and the whole government, the AP should clear up who they telephoned,” stated Shin Bong-gil, the spokesperson of the foreign ministry at his afternoon briefing, adding “Currently, the related governmental agencies and information service center are carrying out a self-investigation,”

According to this, the Open Uri Party and the Grand National Party are considering holding a hearing, and the Democratic Labor Party has decided to drive forward with an investigation on national administration and submit the draft of a resolution to the assembly in the near future that the Seohee and Jema troops stationed in Iraq should pull out immediately.

At an executive management meeting of the Grand National Party, its floor leader, Kim Deok-ryong, remarked: “In order to prevent recurrence, responsibility should follow,” raising the theory of condemning the people concerned such as Foreign Minister, Bahn Ki-moon.