Presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in, left, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte



By Kim Rahn

Moon Jae-in, the leading presidential hopeful from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has criticized the Philippine president for not taking responsible action against the abduction and murder of a Korean businessman there by local policemen.

He called the inaction "diplomatic disrespect."

Moon's condemnation came after President Rodrigo Duterte continued his support for the country's police chief despite the case where the Korean man was killed in a fake anti-drug operation by Philippine police officers who have been given the right to extrajudicial killing in Duterte's controversial drug crackdown.

"An innocent Korean was killed in the Philippines again. It's quite a shock that this time incumbent police officers were involved and the murder was committed within the police headquarters," Moon said on Facebook, Tuesday.

"What's more shocking is that President Duterte did not hold the police chief, who faces growing calls to resign from the Philippine people, responsible but rather participated in his birthday party."

Calling such an attitude diplomatic rudeness, Moon said, "I sternly request the Philippine government — as a friend — to take responsible measures based on constitutionalism."

The presidential contender also called for the Korean government to deal with the issue more actively, saying, "With such a serious issue happening, acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are not bringing it up. They are giving up the state's duty which should prioritize protecting its people."

It was revealed last week that seven suspects, involving former and incumbent police officers, seized the Korean businessman, Jee Ick-joo, 53, at his home in Angeles City in October in a fake drug raid, took him to the police headquarters and strangled him to death. They later cremated the body and extorted a ransom from Jee's family by pretending he was still alive.

On Tuesday, the Philippine government issued an apology over the case.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella offered condolences to Jee's family. "We apologize to the South Korean government and people for this irreparable loss," he said in a statement. "We commit the full force of the law to ensure that justice is served and not delayed. To the Korean people, please accept our sincerest and deepest regrets."

Regarding the case, people in the Philippines have called for the resignation of police chief Ronald dela Rosa, and dela Rosa himself tendered his resignation. But Duterte has expressed his continuous support for the chief, who is one of his close aides. The president participated in dela Rosa's birthday party Sunday, and said he should not be blamed for the case.

"There are two ways of committing a crime under the revised penal code. What are they? Felony, malice or negligence. From the looks of it, I do not see any criminal intent, really on the part of dela Rosa and the rest of the group," he was quoted as saying at the party by the Philippine Star.

In the meantime, Korean National Police Agency Commissioner General Lee Chul-sung sent a letter to dela Rosa, Wednesday, to request a swift and fair investigation into the case, stern punishment of the people involved, and continued efforts to prevent crimes targeting Koreans there.