Seoul to redefine NK as main enemy

N. Korean leader orders military to prepare for war

By Na Jeong-ju

Staff reporter

President Lee Myung-bak indicated Tuesday that South Korea will re-designate North Korea as the "main enemy" in its defense white paper, a concept it dropped six years ago amid a push for inter-Korean reconciliation.

"For the past decade, we have lived without the concept of a main enemy. We have focused on potential threats outside the Korean Peninsula, but ignored the direct threats from North Korea," Lee said at a meeting with his security advisors at Cheong Wa Dae.

Lee's remarks came after reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had ordered his military to prepare for a possible full-scale war on the peninsula.

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has begun working-level discussions to revive the notion of a main enemy, according to presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye.

In an article posted on its website, the North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, a Seoul-based anti-Pyongyang organization, said the North's military has strengthened combat readiness on direct orders from Kim after Seoul blamed the reclusive state last Thursday for a torpedo attack on the warship Cheonan in March.

"North Korea is holding massive rallies around the country to denounce South Korea and the United States," the article said. "All participants, even civilians, must wear military uniforms."

It said the North boosted surveillance at its borders with China and South Korea, noting that it acquired the information from its stringers operating there.

A South Korean military spokesman doubted the authenticity of the report, but said North Korea could resort to extreme military options.

The allegations came amid the growing possibility of armed conflict between the two Koreas.

In an address to the nation Monday, President Lee vowed a stern military response to any further provocative acts by North Korea and demanded an apology for the torpedo attack and punishment of those responsible.

South Korea shut all sea lanes to North Korean ships and suspended inter-Korean trade and exchange programs.

Seoul said the 1,200-ton frigate Cheonan sank after being attacked by a North Korean submarine in South Korean waters. However, the North has denied its involvement in the sinking.

정부, 북한 주적으로 재지정

이 명박 대통령은 화요일 국방백서에 북한을 “주적”으로 재지정하겠다고 밝혔다. 이는 6년 전 남북화해 분위기 가운데 중단됐던 주적 개념을 다시 부활시키는 것이다.

이 대통령은 청와대에서 가진 안보보좌관 회의에서 “지난 10년 동안 주적 개념이 없었다” 며 “북한의 직접적인 위협은 무시한 채 한반도 밖의 가상적 위협에 집중해왔다”고 말했다.

이 대통령의 이 같은 발언은 김정일 국방위원장이 군부에 한반도에서 전면전 가능성에 대한 준비태세를 갖추라고 지시했다는 보도 후 나왔다.

김은혜 청와대 대변인에 따르면 국방부가 주적 개념 부활을 위해 실무적인 논의를 시작했다.