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S. Korea vows tough response
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
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THE president of South Korea vowed relentless retaliation against North Korea if provoked again, saying yesterday he is not afraid of war.
The two Koreas have ramped up their rhetoric since North Korea shelled front-line Yeonpyeong Island near the western sea border last month, killing four South Koreans. Both sides accuse the other of triggering the November 23 exchange of artillery.
Yesterday, President Lee Myung-bak used his regular radio address to vow to get tougher with any new provocation by North Korea.
"We have now been awakened to the realization that war can be prevented and peace assured only when such provocations are met with a strong response," Lee said. "Fear of war is never helpful in preventing war."
He said that South Korea's military "must respond relentlessly when they come under attack."
Lee urged South Koreans to unite on national security because North Korea tries to take advantage of any division in public opinions in South Korea.
"There can be no difference between you and me when it comes to national security, because our lives and the survival of the nation depend on it," he said. "They always have their eyes open to take advantage of any opportunity if they detect any divisiveness in our minds and thoughts."
South Korea has staged a series of military drills in a show of force against North Korea since the artillery bombardment. South Korea has also threatened airstrikes if hit again and ordered more troops on front-line islands and is pushing for fresh rules of engagement to allow for a more forceful response to future provocations.
North Korea, for its part, has also kept up the rhetoric as it marks the 19th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's -appointment as the country's -supreme military commander. Kim's military chief threatened last week to launch a "sacred" nuclear war against South Korea.
North Korea's main newspaper warned yesterday that South Korea's recent exercises are "reckless military provocation" that could lead it down a path to self-destruction.
"There is limit to our patience," said the Rodong Sinmun commentary carried by the official Korean -Central News Agency.
The two Koreas have ramped up their rhetoric since North Korea shelled front-line Yeonpyeong Island near the western sea border last month, killing four South Koreans. Both sides accuse the other of triggering the November 23 exchange of artillery.
Yesterday, President Lee Myung-bak used his regular radio address to vow to get tougher with any new provocation by North Korea.
"We have now been awakened to the realization that war can be prevented and peace assured only when such provocations are met with a strong response," Lee said. "Fear of war is never helpful in preventing war."
He said that South Korea's military "must respond relentlessly when they come under attack."
Lee urged South Koreans to unite on national security because North Korea tries to take advantage of any division in public opinions in South Korea.
"There can be no difference between you and me when it comes to national security, because our lives and the survival of the nation depend on it," he said. "They always have their eyes open to take advantage of any opportunity if they detect any divisiveness in our minds and thoughts."
South Korea has staged a series of military drills in a show of force against North Korea since the artillery bombardment. South Korea has also threatened airstrikes if hit again and ordered more troops on front-line islands and is pushing for fresh rules of engagement to allow for a more forceful response to future provocations.
North Korea, for its part, has also kept up the rhetoric as it marks the 19th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's -appointment as the country's -supreme military commander. Kim's military chief threatened last week to launch a "sacred" nuclear war against South Korea.
North Korea's main newspaper warned yesterday that South Korea's recent exercises are "reckless military provocation" that could lead it down a path to self-destruction.
"There is limit to our patience," said the Rodong Sinmun commentary carried by the official Korean -Central News Agency.
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