Attack claims defense minister

By Kim Tong-hyung

President Lee Myung-bak finally accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, Thursday, after questions arose over the country’s military readiness following the North Korean shelling of the border island of Yeonpeyong.

Kim had asked to be relieved of his duties in May in the fallout following the North Korean attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan in March, the first of a series of provocative actions by the North this year. Cheong Wa Dae had been delaying its decision on whether to accept Kim’s resignation, but Tuesday’s artillery attacks on Yeonpyeong Island, which killed four people, including two civilians, apparently was the last straw.

Presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee said that Kim’s replacement will be named today. Kim Byeong-gi, presidential secretary for national security, was also sacked.

Although Yim didn’t reveal the candidates considered for the top defense position, Kim In-jong, currently the chief of the presidential security service, and Ahn Kwang-chan, former director of the presidential emergency planning commission, are among the names being thrown around.

``The president decided this afternoon to accept Kim’s resignation. Kim first offered to step down on May 1, but the decision has been delayed due to follow-up measures for the Cheonan incident and the defense ministers’ meeting between South Korea and the United States,’’ Yim said.

``The candidates for the defense minister are military veterans, but not on active duty.’’

Kim has been criticized for the military’s failure to monitor North Korea’s cross-border activities as well as its allegedly inadequate response to the attacks on Yeonpyeong Island. The North Korean sinking of the Cheonan killed 46 South Korean sailors.