3 mysteries cloud South Korean's shooting death by North Korea

Grieving family casts doubt on allegation that victim defected to the North

20201001N Lee Rai-jin REUTERS

Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of a South Korean fisheries official killed by the North Korean military, reacts during a news conference Tuesday in Seoul. © Reuters

SOTARO SUZUKI, Nikkei Seoul bureau chief

SEOUL -- The shooting death of a South Korean official by North Korean soldiers leaves the man's family -- and opposition parties in Seoul -- with mysteries they want their government to resolve.

Despite a rare apology from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that averted a further deterioration of bilateral relations, the family and others seek answers to three questions: Was the official really defecting to North Korea? Why was no rescue attempt made? And why did it take President Moon Jae-in days to address the slaying publicly?

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