By Na Jeong-ju
President Lee Myung-bak ordered the military Tuesday to strike a North Korean missile base near the inter-Korean border in the West Sea if the communist country shows signs of further military provocation following its artillery attack on a South Korean island, a presidential aide said.
Lee also called for “multiple-fold retaliation” against the artillery attack during an emergency meeting with security-related ministers and military commanders, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung.
“Lee told military commanders that we should strike North Korea’s missile base near the border if there in a clear indication of further provocation,” Kim told reporters.
Lee convened the security meeting in the underground bunker at the presidential complex immediately after he was told about the artillery attack.
After the meeting, he visited the headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul to discuss the situation.
Earlier in the day, Seoul vowed a firm response to the attack on Yeonpyeong Island, saying it will collaborate with the international community to deal with the act of aggression.
“North Korea fired shells at even civilians. It’s intolerable,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement, read by senior presidential secretary for public relations Hong Sang-pyo. “It should take full responsibility for the assault.”
“Our military fired back in accordance with engagement rules and will respond resolutely to any further attacks by the communist country,” the statement said.
Hong said Seoul will cooperate closely with allies and the United Nations to handle the aftermath of the incident.
He didn’t rule out possible military action against North Korea, saying all available countermeasures will be discussed.
Earlier, spokeswoman Kim told reporters that the North’s attack might have come in retaliation to a South Korean naval exercise, which was underway near the Western sea border.
“Our Navy was conducting a maritime exercise there today. North Korea sent a letter of protest over the drill,” Kim said.
Participants in the emergency meeting included Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and Won Sei-hoon, chief of the National Intelligence Service.