VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A South Korean official who was drifting at sea was shot and killed by North Korea before then dousing his body with oil and setting it on fire, the South Korean Defense Ministry stated on Thursday.

A 47-year-old official from the South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries disappeared from the 499-ton ship Monday afternoon while on duty on an inspection boat in waters off the western border of Yeonpyeong island.

"North Korea found the man in its waters and carried out the brutal act of shooting him and burning his body, according to our comprehensive military analysis of various intelligence data," the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Our military strongly condemns this brutal act and urges North Korea to provide an explanation and punish those who are responsible," the statement read.

"We also firmly warned North Korea that all responsibility for this incident rests with them."

This is the first incident since July 2008, when a South Korean civilian was shot dead in North Korea. At that time, Park Wang-ja was shot and killed at the mountainous resort of Kumgang in the North while wandering the forbidden zone.

President Moon Jae-in expressed deep concern, calling the assassination a "shocking incident that cannot be tolerated for any reason."

"The North Korean authorities must take responsible action regarding this case," Moon said, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.

He also urged the military to tighten its defense posture to protect the lives and safety of citizens. (RRI)