S. Korean defence minister resigns over slow response to N. Korean shelling of island
November 26th, 2010 - 2:24 pm ICT by ANISeoul (S.Korea), Nov.26 (ANI): South Korea’s Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young has resigned amid angry criticism of the response to the North Korean attack on Yeonpyeong island.
In the North Korean artillery bombardment, two soldiers and two civilians were killed.
News of the resignation came after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, ordered the country’s military to strengthen its troop presence on islands near its disputed maritime border with North Korea and Pyongyang warned of retaliation for any “reckless military provocations”, the Guardian reports.
A US aircraft carrier and other warships were on their way to the Yellow Sea for joint military drills with the South, due to begin on Sunday.
The shelling increased international concerns about the stability of the peninsula, already heightened by last week’s reports that North Korea was operating a new uranium enrichment facility.
Seoul had promised it would be ready to respond strongly to further attacks following the sinking of a warship this spring, which it blamed on North Korea. (ANI)
- Seoul hopes tensions between Koreas will ease - Jan 02, 2012
- Kim's son behind attack on South Korea to 'mobilise military and consolidate his power' - Nov 24, 2010
- South Korea lifts temporary travel ban to North - Jan 04, 2012
- S. Korea starts naval firing drills amid rising tension with North - Dec 06, 2010
- 'N. Korea warns of less restraint to S. Korea's military drills' - Dec 28, 2010
- President urges South Koreans to be militarily ready - Jun 15, 2010
- China's 'guarded response' puts onus on both Koreas to establish peace in Peninsula - Nov 24, 2010
- S. Korea ready for talks with North provided not provoked - Jan 03, 2011
- South says North Korea ready to carry out nuclear test - Apr 24, 2012
- US to send aircraft carrier to Korean Peninsula waters - Nov 25, 2010
- North Korea, South Korea Get Involved In Artillery Duel - Nov 23, 2010
- S. Korea drops demand for N. Korea apology - Jan 29, 2011
- S.Korea to retaliate against Pyongyang if attacked again even if it risks war - Dec 28, 2010
- US worried joint-military drills with South Korea will worsen Korean peninsula situation - Dec 29, 2010
- North and South Korea exchange fire - Aug 10, 2011
Tags: artillery bombardment, defence minister, enrichment facility, international concerns, lee myung bak, military drills, north korea, president lee, provocations, pyongyang, slow response, south korea, south korean president, troop presence, two soldiers, uranium enrichment, us aircraft carrier, warship, warships, yellow sea