Another Provocation, Huge Harm To The North

On July 2, 2002, President Kim Dae-jung stated, regarding the Yellow Sea Engagement, “If the North attempts to damage us again through any armed provocation, they will have to get themselves ready to take huge damage to them. I stress they should take my warning seriously. Our power is well enough.”

He addressed the nation at the Seoul Airport, upon his arrival from Japan. He was quoted as saying, “I have learned a lot from this battle. I will not let any future provocation lead to the kind of damage we have sustained this time. I will do whatever to concrete our national security.”

He continued, “North’s surprise attack harmed us a great deal. But they sustained a considerable damage, too. Our solders were not sitting tight. I cannot withhold my anger toward the North and their provocation.”

Kim also stressed his intention to keep the Sun Shine policy, “Unless we intend to wage a war against the North, we should not stop our efforts to foster peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Early this morning just before his return, Kim visited Emperor Akihito at his palace. There, Kim had conversations with the Emperor, and attended a luncheon hosted by the Emperor.

In the meanwhile, Nam Kyung-pil, the spokesperson for the Grand National Party, requested the government hold persons in charge of the Engagement accountable. He argued, “What we have to defend now is not the Sun Shine policy, but the concrete national security. The Sun Shine policy is intended to change the North, not our military.”

Jeong-Hun Kim Jong-Hoon Lee jnghn@donga.com taylor55@donga.com