I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Lee says NLL should be protected at all cost
By Kang Hyun-kyung
President Lee Myung-bak urged the military Thursday to protect the maritime boundary in the West See from a North Korean invasion under any circumstances.
He made the remarks during a surprise visit to Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea near the maritime borderline amid tense security.
“Our sailors should bear in mind that they should keep the Northern Limit Line (NLL) until the two Koreas achieve unification, even though defending it could come at the expense of their lives,” Lee said.
“They should do this for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula and safety and lives of the people.”
Lee said that if North Korea commits provocation, South Korea should react to it strongly. “If we are well prepared for the North’s bellicose acts, we can deter them,” he said.
Lee’s surprise visit to the island came nearly a month before the two years’ anniversary of the North’s deadly artillery attack on the island. It took the lives of four people, including two civilians.
It also came amid controversy over the late former President Roh Moo-hyun’s remarks that South Korea won’t insist on the NLL which was allegedly made during the inter-Korean summit held in October 2007.