Government Under Fire for Handling NK Provocation

It has been five days since North Korea provoked the naval attack in the West Sea. But the government has not identified the true nature of the provocation. Nor has it come up with coherent countermeasures, triggering criticism over the government`s collective risk management system.

After the inter-Korean naval skirmish in the West Sea, the government called the naval attack that claimed 24 casualties an armed provocation with a surprise attack from North Korean patrol boats. But the government has failed to bring forward systematic follow-up measures according to its definition.

The government said that it would step up the military vigilance against North Korea and revise the rules of engagement. But stern countermeasures against North Korea have yet to follow.

Moreover the National Security Council meeting convened right after the naval clash and presided over by President Kim decided that the President would visit Japan as scheduled. The NSC`s decision has come under fire as the political arena criticized that the government failed to recognize the seriousness of the maritime confrontation.

Many people noted that the government gave up the bargaining chip for negotiations with the North as President Kim and other high-ranking government officials clarified that the Sunshine Policy and the private sector exchange between the two Korea would continue.

Regarding the U.S. decision to cancel its envoy’s scheduled trip to North Korea, the government has just kept saying, "Now is time for dialogue."

Moreover, the government has yet to announce its analysis of what the North`s real intention was and whether the attack was a planned provocation, raising suspicion that the government hurriedly identified the attack as accidental which has nothing to do with the North Korean leadership. So far, the government has kept saying, "We need more analysis."

Experts said, "Given this lukewarm and inconsistent response by the government, it is questionable how the government will extract an apology and promise to punish those who are responsible and prevent such incidents from recurring from North Korea."

Chol-Hi Lee Hyung-gwon Pu klimt@donga.com bookum90@donga.com