North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has issued an extremely rare apology over the Thursday killing of a South Korean fisheries official who breached the border in the water off the coast while allegedly trying to defect. He had been shot on site by the north's border patrol in a boat who happened upon the life jacket wearing man, his body also immediately burned on coronavirus fears.
Kim's message was that the north was "very sorry" over the "unexpected, unfortunate incident" which was expressed in a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
"Chairman Kim Jong Un asked to convey that he feels very sorry that instead of giving aid to our compatriots in the South who is struggling with Covid epidemic, we have given President Moon and our compatriots in the South a great disappointment with this unseen misfortune in our sea," the letter read, according to the Blue House.
However Kim did also take Seoul to task for charging Pyongyang with "atrocious acts" before formally inquiring into the matter to learn what had happened.
It further apologized for "an incident that will clearly negatively impact inter-Korean relation" while noting the north had recently upped the intensity of its maritime patrols along the border.
The letter revealed more details about the shocking killing:
In a letter sent to South Korea's Blue House Friday morning, North Korea said units responded to a call that an unidentified male was found floating on an object in the sea. The letter claims about 10 rounds were fired at...