Lee vows stern measures against those responsible for warship sinking

Yonhap ^ | April 19, 2010 | Lee Chi-dong

[rdl6989]

SEOUL, April 19 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak pledged Monday to take "resolute" measures against those responsible for the sinking of a South Korean naval ship last month as he consoled the nation over one the country's worst naval disasters.

"As the president, I will ascertain the cause of the Cheonan's sinking to the last detail," he said in his address broadcast live. "I will deal resolutely with the results and make sure such an incident does not recur."

[Little Ray]

Lessee. Choices, choices.
A. Go to war with a nutjob who has 10,000+ heavy artillery pieces and rockets in fortifications just across the border aimed your capital, with mountains of ready ammo.
B. Ignore the provocation and let your enemy continue to slowly starve to death, while you continue getting richer.

The sad truth is that there is NOTHING the South Koreans can do to the Norks, including going to war against them, that is worse than what they are doing to themselves.

[Mr. Lucky]

Sadly, your’s is the correct analysis.

[GonzoGOP]

Yes they will get a very nasty letter and be fined half their GNP. Which in the case of North Korea works out to $1.27.

[GonzoGOP]

Bummer. I thought this posting was about Civil War History, from the title.

If it was that Lee North Korea might actually be scared.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, we knew going into the last ROK Presidential election in 2007 that LEE was the RINO, and/but that there was a Conservative Third Party candidate, Lee Hoi Chang who polled a good amount (15) but not enough to catch the other two, including Chang the Socialist. Now HE would have been solid on this issue regarding North Korean torpedoing South Korean ships.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I have to agree, AIT. When I heard Lee saying it, I wonder what tough measure he would take. I cannot shake off the feeling that he will try to go after some military brass who are against indiscriminate budget cut instigated by his go-to guy at Defense Ministry, its Vice Minister. There was a big fracas over defense budget, who made top brass(or top official?) officially protest. He confronted the man responsible for the whole thing. All through this incident, chain of command was not respected. Those on the field reported directly to Presidential aide cutting out JCS Chief and Defense Minister out of the loop. I don't think this is solely the fault of officers on the field. They felt compelled to do it. As a result, JCS Chief and Defense Minister got the news of certain important development only after watching it on TV. I have some suspicion that some bungling in handling of this incident has lot to do with these inside boys, Vice Minister and especially Presidential Aide. The aide even made comments in which he treated as though Chia Head son is officially designated successor and he said it in quite 'venerating' tone, which make people suspect that these folks had been indeed working on another inter-Korean summit to get another 'wonderful' publicity, and they felt nothing can sidetrack it.

Now that public outcry is at a level they are compelled to address, they will probably take the approach you can frequently see among U.S. liberals when similar tragedy strikes them: outpouring of grieving emotion plenty of flowers, and candles. Eloquent eulogy. The necessity to move on. Forget about the perpetrators and instead focus on what went wrong on our side. Bitch about intelligence problem, chain of command, inept rescue facilities, problem with living conditions inside warships. Of course, these are things to look at. However, the priority will be probably upside down. Not much on N. Korea.

He may see this as an opportunity to impose his agenda on Defense Ministry and his agenda is suspect, because his people are suspect.

[TigerLikesRooster]

who made top brass

whowhich made top brass

[AmericanInTokyo]

I guess sites such as Indepdendent.co.kr, or maybe even Chosun Ilbo, might have some objective reporting on this? Or perhaps it is all hush hush. Heck the US military through their survellience (HUMINT, ELINT, SIGINT) maybe even knows the culprit, and Obongo is calling Lee to fence him in not to do anything against the Great Leader and the Dear Leader.

PS Did any Boy-King Kim Jong Un songs or banners emerge last week upon the celebration of the birthday of Kimilsung? Just wondering. I thought that was expected or suspected.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I have not heard about such a thing yet. But then, I have been busy.