Remembering sailors

Dear editor,

Regarding an April 27 editorial, ``Mourning for Sailors," I absolutely agree with the point that all South Koreans must never forget the ill-fated sailors of Cheonan. Not to make their sacrifice in vain, however, we need to take action more than just being engrossed with this mishap.

As the writer said, we shouldn't be emotional or impulsive in dealing with this tragedy even though it is an unspeakable grief, because things such as a counter attack would cause more victims and ignite a broader conflict.

If the North turns out to be who is behind the scene, the tension between the two Koreas would be intensified and it is a threat to our national security.

Therefore, instead of blaming other parties for this naval disaster to win the election, political parties should consider every possibility and come up with a resolute and effective reaction in order to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy. It is far more appealing to the voters than just pointing a finger at each other.

Moreover, we are technically at war over armistice so we need to build a stronger and more reliable military which can cope with an emergency like this. The military has lost the public's trust not only from this large-scale incident but by consecutive crashes of army and navy helicopters, the corrupt conscription system, firearm accidents and suicides at barracks. Military reform is urgent.

Finally, I cannot stop thinking about the victims' distraught families. The victims are someone's fathers, husbands and sons and the loss in their families must be tremendous. The government should spare no efforts in minimizing their despair.

Jung Hye-young Teacher Gyeonggi Province bijou815@gmail.com