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 to Address Nation on Ship Sinking Today
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak will deliver a special message to the victims of the sunken Navy ship Cheonan and their families today, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.
In the message that will be aired nationwide through radio and the Internet, Lee will express his deep regret and sorrow over the sacrifice of the sailors and their grieving families.
Last Friday, Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young characterized the current status facing the nation in the wake of the maritime disaster as ``a grave situation concerning national security.''
In a related move, President Lee has invited the leaders of the governing Grand National Party (GNP), the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and the Liberty Forward Party (LFP) to a luncheon meeting slated for Tuesday, Cheong Wa Dae said.
Lee will ask them to work closely together with the government in producing national consensus at a time of the grave security situation, an aide said.
Lee will give Reps. Chung Mong-joon of the GNP, Chung Sye-kyun of the DP and Lee Hoi-chang of the LFP information regarding the disaster and explain how the nation has coped with the situation, asking their help, Presidential Spokesman Park Sun-kyu told reporters
``Lee will call on the political leaders to put unity first, refraining from seeking partisan politics,'' Park said.
The President will also invite his predecessors, retired military generals and religious leaders to Cheong Wa Dae later to discuss the situation, the aide said.