By Kang Hyun-kyung
Seoul and Washington shared the view Thursday that the forthcoming joint naval exercise in waters off the West Sea will send a strong message to North Korea with regard to its shelling of Yeongpyeong Island.
The consensus came during a telephone conversation between Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-hwan and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Thursday.
Kim Young-sun, spokesman for the foreign ministry, told reporters that Clinton delivered her deep condolences for the victims of the North’s artillery attack Tuesday.
Two Marines and two civilians were killed during the North’s bombardment. Several marines and residents on the island were injured.
The two top diplomats shared information on the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula after the North’s latest belligerent act and exchanged views on possible solutions.
“Kim and Clinton agreed to work even more closely together to deal with North Korea,” the foreign ministry spokesman said.
“The forthcoming naval drills will demonstrate a stalwart Korea-U.S. alliance.”
The joint naval exercise will start this Sunday and continue until Wednesday.