“Is America Iran?” Criticism continues over policy of live broadcasting of gunman’s execution

(Washington, New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Baek Na-ri and Lim Soo-jeong = Criticism is pouring in over the U.S. Department of Defense's plan to live broadcast the execution of the shooter at a U.S. military base.

What ignited the controversy was the U.S. Department of Defense's statement on the 8th (local time). The plan is to execute Nidal Malik Hassan, who killed 13 people in a shooting rampage at a U.S. military base in 2009, by firing squad and broadcast it live.

Hassan's execution date is reportedly scheduled for December 3, and the method of live broadcast has not been decided.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized the

Republican Senator John Curtis and Representative Austin Scott also expressed concerns and urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reconsider.

The United Nations also criticized, "To be honest, it is disgusting for the government to execute someone in public or in front of live cameras."

UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a regular briefing held at the UN Headquarters in New York that day, saying, "Public executions, as seen in other countries such as Iran and Afghanistan, may constitute cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment and punishment."

Vice President JD Vance also expressed his discomfort with the live broadcast plan.

In a Q&A with reporters on the 9th, Vice President Vance stated that Hassan's death sentence was justified, but also said that he would not watch the execution scene if it were broadcast live.

Vice President Vance also said, "I don't know if it will actually be broadcast live. We'll see."

Regarding Vice President Vance's comments, the Washington Post (WP) pointed out that this was the first time a high-ranking member of the Trump administration showed signs of discomfort with the Pentagon's decision to execute people publicly.

President Trump said on this day that Hassan's execution by firing squad was justified, saying, "He deserved that punishment."

When asked whether he supported live broadcasting, he did not give a clear position, saying, "I understand that the issue is being decided right now."

Hassan, who was a military psychiatric surgeon (major), opened fire while working at Hood Base, Texas, in November 2009.

In this incident, 13 soldiers and civilians were killed and 32 injured. WP reported that if Hassan's execution is broadcast live, it will be the first time that U.S. authorities show an execution to the public in real time.