Lee Visits Frontline Island
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak made a surprise visit to the country's northernmost island of Baengnyeong near the disputed sea border with North Korea, Tuesday, in a symbolic move to show Seoul's determination to deal sternly with any provocative actions by the communist country.
It was the first trip by a South Korean President to the island, where operations to salvage the Cheonan patrol ship that sank Friday night in an explosion and to find 46 missing sailors have been underway.
Despite the island being located within the range of North Korean artillery fire, Lee decided to go and encourage soldiers and maritime officers participating in the operations. He also met with the families of some missing soldiers and consoled them, said Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Sun-kyoo.
For security reasons, the presidential office had asked for a strict embargo on media reports about the visit until Lee returned to a "safe place."
"Some aides asked Lee not to go because the island is in a dangerous zone. However, he took the risk to check the scene himself and to call for a strong defense against North Korea," the spokesman said.
The trip came amid rampant speculation over the exact cause of the explosion, which military officers and survivors say split the 1,200-ton ship in two and sank it in a short period of time.
The military can tell what caused the blast only after salvaging and inspecting the wreckage, which may take a few weeks, according to the Defense Ministry.
Initially, South Korean officials downplayed the possibility of North Korean involvement, but some officers alleged Monday that a sea mine laid by North Korea could have hit the Cheonan.
President Lee visited the island by helicopter after chairing a Cabinet meeting early Tuesday, in which he called on the military to stay alert against North Korea.
"As the sinking occurred at the frontline, we should be thoroughly prepared for any moves by North Korea," Lee said.