GOV'T ASKS FOR INTER-KOREAN PROBE

[Anchor Lead]

The government has called on North Korea to conduct a joint probe into the recent killing of a South Korean government fisheries official. Seoul said the two Koreas' accounts of the incident are conflicting and it is necessary to find the truth.

[Pkg]

President Moon Jae-in convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers at the nation's top office from 3 p.m. Sunday local time. Following the session, the government formally requested that North Korea agree to a joint investigation into the recent killing of a South Korean official, stressing the need to get to the bottom of the incident and thoroughly check different claims presented by the two Koreas.

[Soundbite] SUH CHOO-SUK(DEPUTY DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AT CHEONG WA DAE) : "South and North Korea need to put aside their accounts of the incident and jointly find the truth with an open-minded attitude."

As a preparatory step for the joint probe, Seoul called on Pyongyang to reopen the bilateral military communication line, which is needed to exchange information and hold cross-border discussions regarding the matter. The government also emphasized the importance of efforts to retrieve the official's body and belongings. It proposed the two sides carry out search operations in their respective waters and exchange necessary information.

[Soundbite] "Priority will be placed on retrieving his body and articles, not only to quickly find the truth, but also to show respect to the bereaved family from a humanitarian perspective."

Seoul also sought Beijing's cooperation in the search and retrieval operations. The government asked for active help from Chinese fishing vessels operating near the NLL in western waters where the killing occurred. Seoul welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's apology over the incident.

[Soundbite] "Seoul gives positive responses to Pyongyang's quick apology and promise of preventing similar incidents"

The security meeting lasted for about 90 minutes with the defense minister, the NIS director and the presidential chief of staff in attendance.