South Korea's Moon apologizes over handling of killing by North Korea

South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized for first time Monday for death of a man who was shot by rth Korean troops last week, saying his government failed in its responsibility to safeguard a citizen.

shooting triggered outr and criticism that Seoul apparently wasted hours to rescue South Korean official who was found rift in rth Korean waters before his death last Tuesday. While shooting drew a rare apology from rth Korean leer Kim Jong Un, rth has largely passed blame to man who was killed, saying that he refused to answer questions and attempted to flee before rth Korean troops fired at him.

On Sunday, rth Korea accused South of sending vessels across ir disputed western maritime border in search of man’s remains, warning that alleged intrusion could escalate tensions. South Korea’s military and coast guard insist y have been searching only in waters south of boundary.

In a meeting with senior aides, Moon offered his “deep condolences” to grieving family members and also apologized to public over ir “shock and fury,” saying that government “without any excuses” is responsible for protecting safety of its citizens.

Moon also said Kim’s apology showed he was er to prevent a breakdown in bilateral relations over incident and called for rth to resume dialogue and reconnect military communication channels that it cut off in June.

rth Korea has suspended virtually all inter-Korean cooperation and diplomacy amid a stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Trump ministration, which have faltered over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament.

South Korea has proposed a joint investigation with rth to investigate shooting.

“Our hope is that this tragic incident doesn’t just end as a (tragic) incident and inste creates room for dialogue and cooperation, becoming an opportunity to develop South-rth relations,” Moon said.

Critics, including conservative lawmakers, have accused Moon’s government of inaction after military officials revealed man was spotted in rth Korean waters about six hours before he was killed. South Korea's Defense Ministry said it was difficult to establish communication with rth Korea because of severed channels and that officials needed more time to analyze intelligence to determine what rth would do to man.

Kim was quoted as saying he was “very sorry” over what he described as an “unexpected, unfortunate incident” in mess sent to South Korea. It said troops did t recover a body but burned object on which he h been floating in line with anti-coronavirus rules, mess said.

man was a 47-year-old employee of South Korea's maritime ncy who was reported as missing while on duty on a fishing boat near Yeonpyeong island, which is close to sea border.

Minimal details released though South Korea's military has said he likely h been trying to defect to rth. His bror has denied that possibility through local media, saying it was more likely that he fell into sea by accident.

(Im: AP)