ed Due respect for sailors

The film “Northern Limit Line” about an inter-Korean naval clash that occurred 13 years ago is topping the box office. The film’s performance is bright news amid the general slump at theaters caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome scare. More glaringly, it means the public is eager to review the inter-Korean naval clash and give it due thought.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo Monday lauded the six dead Navy officers’ commitment to protecting the country in a 13th year ceremony, saying “The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong was a victorious naval battle that our servicemen successfully fought. The government will make utmost efforts to share your suffering and to uphold the sublime spirit of war veterans.” The clash also wounded 18 others. On the North Korean side, 13 were killed and 25 wounded.

It was the first time that a defense minister attended such a ceremony, and recognized the clash as the South’s victory in battle, in contrast to the insufficient official review the clash received at that time. There is no government report on the skirmish that occurred at the height of joint World Cup games hosted by Japan and Korea. Debate about whether the military had ignored prior intelligence of North Korean provocations and the inappropriate rules of engagement are still ongoing. The criticism from the conservatives was that then-Kim Dae-jung administration’s “sunshine policy” of engaging North Korea prompted the “lax” response. In that light, Han’s actions “reset” it in a proper frame, and reminds us that there can be no schism about national security and protecting our men and women in service.

Six sailors died in the clash, but because of the law governing soldiers’ pension, they were not properly honored as killed in war but compensated as victims who died on the job. The ruling and the governing parties have belatedly come forward to amend related rules to change that. We hope the families left behind may now have more closure with the due government recognition. Following the Yeonpyeong Battle, the rules of engagement were simplified to allow a more active response. Yet this year, we have seen high-ranking officials at the Navy implicated in bribery cases including indictments of former Navy chief Jung Ok-geun and Hwang Ki-chul, former chief of naval operations. Defense-related corruption can cause critical losses and damages. In that respect, the Navy should reset its discipline.