SOUTH KOREA/FILE: Amid tensions on the peninsula, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says the nation is ready to punish any North Korean provocations during the 10th anniversary of an inter-Korean naval battle

Record ID: 593361

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA/FILE: Amid tensions on the peninsula, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says the nation is ready to punish any North Korean provocations during the 10th anniversary of an inter-Korean naval battle
  • Date: 30th June 2012
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF LEE PAYING RESPECT FAMILIES OF VICTIMS PAYING RESPECT
  • Embargoed: 15th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: At Sea, Korea, Republic of
  • City:
  • Country: Korea, Republic of At Sea
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2WKSJMT9FFL6L6PFCXSE8SR17
  • Story Text: Amid tensions on the Korean peninsula, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said on the 10th anniversary of an inter-Korean naval battle on Friday (June 29) that his country was ready to punish any North Korean provocations.
    On June 29, 2002 the North Korean navy fired at a South Korean war ship at the sea border in Yellow Sea. Six South Korean sailors were killed and 18 injured, South Korean officials have said. North Korea has said the South Korean ship was in its territorial waters and therefore fired at the ship.
    Lee was the first South Korea president to attend an official ceremony to mourn for the victims.
    "While everybody was filled with feverish excitement for the World Cup soccer games, North Korean military, with thorough planning, crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and made a surprise attack in our territorial waters," Lee said during his speech at a ceremony held in Pyeongtaek, southwest of Seoul, where a naval base is located.
    The naval skirmish happened on June 29 when South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup finals. South Korea military estimated about 30 North Korean sailors were killed or injured.
    "Our government is completely prepared to punish any provocations immediately and thoroughly. We have been accelerating to reform our national defence system," he added.
    However, Lee emphasised the final goal would be peace, co-existence and co-prosperity on the Korean peninsula and the peaceful reunification.
    "North Korea should abandon military provocations and try to revive the people's livelihood. Both Koreas should move forward for mutual prosperity. We are ready to cooperate with the North for peace, co-existence and co-prosperity on the Korean peninsula," he added.
    North and South Korea are still technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce without a peace treaty.
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