The killing of a South Korean fisheries official at the hands of North Korean naval officers in Sept. 2020 has flared into a major political scandal in recent days, as questions swirl around the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s handling of the incident. 

The military initially said the shooting of Lee Dae-jun was the result of a botched defection, but South Korea’s defense ministry rejected that assessment earlier this month, saying there was no evidence to support the claim.

The reversal has resulted in apologies and offers of resignation from senior officials, and led bereaved family members and political opponentsto