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According to Lt. Gen. Ahn Young-ho, a senior official in the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, a staff member from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries disappeared in waters 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) south of the Yeonpyeong Islands on September 21. .
The islands lie near the maritime border between North and South Korea, and at some point, the official crossed into North Korean waters, after which, according to South Korean intelligence, Korean forces The North opened fire and killed the South Korean. His body was later burned, Ahn said.
In a statement, the South Korean military said it “strongly condemns the atrocities in the North” and urged Pyongyang to explain and punish those responsible.
“In addition, we strongly warn that North Korea is responsible for the atrocities committed against our citizen,” the statement added.
The deterioration in relations came after a years-long rapprochement led by South Korean President Moon Jae-in resulted in historic meetings between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as summits between Kim and US President Donald Trump.