Navy Chief Says, “NLL is Territorial Line”

With regard to the strategic importance of the five islands near the western sea border, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Song Young-moo said on Tuesday, “Strategically, Yeonpyeong Island is a stab in the back and Baengnyeong Island is a stab in the ribs. They are clearly part of our territory.”

When Adm. Song was asked about his views on the Northern Limit Line at the Navy’s parliamentary audit session of the National Assembly Defense Committee, held in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, he answered, “The NLL is our sea boarder. The defense minister, chief operation director of the joint chiefs of staff and the navy chief of staff share the same view.”

The five northern islands – Baengnyeong Island, Socheong Island, Daecheong Island, Daeyeonpyeong Island and Soyeonpyeong Island - are of vital strategic importance in the deterrence of North Korean attacks.

Song’s remarks coincide with the former Defense Minister Cho Yung-kil’s contributing article to the Dong-A Ilbo, dated October 23. Cho stated that if the South makes concessions on the NLL to the North, it will have devastating consequences on the security of the capital area.

When some lawmakers pointed out that if the NLL is changed and direct sea lines are opened, creating a big loophole (in security) regardless of the navy’s determination to protect the NLL, Adm. Song said, “They are of great military importance and (your comment) is quite true. (The navy) will take complete control over the sea and our units in Yeonpyeong Island will let vessels pass only after clearly identifying (the nature of the vessels).

ysh1005@donga.com