Image Source: The National

Agencies:

Kim Jong-un 'apologises for killing of South Korean official'

September 25, 2020

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has issued a rare personal apology for the killing of a South Korean official, Seoul says.

Mr. Kim reportedly told his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae in that the incident should not have happened. South Korea has said the 47 year old man was allegedly trying to defect to North Korea when he was found by troops floating in the North's waters. He was then shot dead and his body was set alight, according to Seoul.

The border between the Koreas is tightly policed and the North is thought to have a "shoot to kill" policy in place to prevent Coronavirus from entering the country.

The apology came in the form of a letter sent to President Moon and acknowledged that the incident should not have happened, according to South Korea's Blue House.

Mr. Kim said he felt "very sorry" for "disappointing" Mr. Moon and the South Korean people, the Blue House said.

The North also gave the South the results of its investigation into the incident. It said more than 10 shots were fired at the man, who had entered North Korean waters and then failed to reveal his identity and tried to flee, South Korea's director of national security Suh Hoon said.