South Korea appoints new minister hours after North claims 'war closer'
An experienced military official has been appointed the new South Korean Minister of Defence today amid criticism of a “slow response” to the attack from the neighbouring North last Tuesday.
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kim Kwan-jin, 61 years-old, has been chosen by the Blue House to take the role left empty by Kim Tae-young, who resigned yesterday.
The previous minister faced harsh criticism following the latest attack on the island of Yeonpyeong, when he was accused of being unprepared and showing weakness when faced with North Korea.
South Korean Presidential Secretary commented on the nomination of the new defence minister: “[We] think nominee Kim, well-respected for professionalism and conviction, is the right person for the position in order to restore trust from people and boost morale in the entire military.”
The announcement of the new minister has come only a few hours after North Korea's claims that the joint US-South Korean military drills are bringing the war between North and South closer.
A North Korean news agency stated today that: “The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again the war exercises targeted against the [North].
“The army and people of [North Korea] are now greatly enraged at the provocation of the puppet group [South Korea] while getting fully ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies if they dare to encroach again upon [North Korea]'s dignity and sovereignty even in the least.”
The perilous situation between North and South may get worse at any moment, with the population holding its breath.
The US is now sending a military aircraft carrier group to South Korea. The two countries are planning to undertake joint military drills from next Sunday – these were already scheduled before Tuesday's attack.
On Tuesday, North Korea launched a heavy attack to the southern island of Yeonpyeong.
The island, close to North Korean waters in the Yellow Sea, was hit by shells and artillery fire, which destroyed dozens of houses. Two soldiers and two civilians lost their lives in the attack. Pyongyang said the attack was a response to artillery fire coming from the island towards the North Korean coasts.
Yesterday, televisions in Seoul reported that more firing was being heard from the island of Yeonpyeong, although no shell was dropped. Military sources said it probably was a military drill being held in the North, close to the coast overlooking the island.
China, the main North Korean ally, has been asked by the US and Japan to ease North Korea's belligerent attitude. Beijing's response has been unclear so far – the Chinese government has interests in keeping North Korea not aligned with the US, although the current regime threatens the stability of the whole region.
The shelling in Yeonpyeong on Tuesday has been the highest-scale attack from North Korea since the war ended in 1953.
Although the battles practically ended back then, no official peace treaty was ever signed between the two countries. Over the years, several smaller-scale actions took place, with sectarian murders and small attacks towards the South.
(Read the full article on The Fresh Outlook)
26.11.2010
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kim Kwan-jin, 61 years-old, has been chosen by the Blue House to take the role left empty by Kim Tae-young, who resigned yesterday.
The previous minister faced harsh criticism following the latest attack on the island of Yeonpyeong, when he was accused of being unprepared and showing weakness when faced with North Korea.
South Korean Presidential Secretary commented on the nomination of the new defence minister: “[We] think nominee Kim, well-respected for professionalism and conviction, is the right person for the position in order to restore trust from people and boost morale in the entire military.”
The announcement of the new minister has come only a few hours after North Korea's claims that the joint US-South Korean military drills are bringing the war between North and South closer.
A North Korean news agency stated today that: “The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again the war exercises targeted against the [North].
“The army and people of [North Korea] are now greatly enraged at the provocation of the puppet group [South Korea] while getting fully ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies if they dare to encroach again upon [North Korea]'s dignity and sovereignty even in the least.”
The perilous situation between North and South may get worse at any moment, with the population holding its breath.
The US is now sending a military aircraft carrier group to South Korea. The two countries are planning to undertake joint military drills from next Sunday – these were already scheduled before Tuesday's attack.
On Tuesday, North Korea launched a heavy attack to the southern island of Yeonpyeong.
The island, close to North Korean waters in the Yellow Sea, was hit by shells and artillery fire, which destroyed dozens of houses. Two soldiers and two civilians lost their lives in the attack. Pyongyang said the attack was a response to artillery fire coming from the island towards the North Korean coasts.
Yesterday, televisions in Seoul reported that more firing was being heard from the island of Yeonpyeong, although no shell was dropped. Military sources said it probably was a military drill being held in the North, close to the coast overlooking the island.
China, the main North Korean ally, has been asked by the US and Japan to ease North Korea's belligerent attitude. Beijing's response has been unclear so far – the Chinese government has interests in keeping North Korea not aligned with the US, although the current regime threatens the stability of the whole region.
The shelling in Yeonpyeong on Tuesday has been the highest-scale attack from North Korea since the war ended in 1953.
Although the battles practically ended back then, no official peace treaty was ever signed between the two countries. Over the years, several smaller-scale actions took place, with sectarian murders and small attacks towards the South.
(Read the full article on The Fresh Outlook)
26.11.2010