Defense chief calls 2nd Yeonpyeong Naval Battle victorious
Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung, left, speaks to his main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy counterpart Moon Jae-in at the 13th anniversary of the Yeonpyeong Naval Battle at the Navy’s 2nd Fleet headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Monday that South Korea prevailed in the second Yeonpyeong Naval Battle, honoring the six fallen sailors who were killed in action during the inter-Korean maritime clash in June 29, 2002.
“The second Yeonpyeong Naval Battle was the victorious battle in which our men fended off North Korea’s provocations,” Han said during a ceremony at the Navy’s 2nd Fleet headquarters to mark the 13th anniversary of the battle.
It was the first time for a defense chief to deliver a tributary speech for the sailors who were killed during the bloody skirmish on the water off the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong in the West Sea. Eighteen other South Korean sailors were wounded.
He called out the name of each of the six dead sailors who were onboard the Chamsuri 537 speedboat that sank after two North Korean patrol ships crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a de-facto maritime border, and launched a preemptive attack. The six included Lieutenant Commander Yoon Yeong-ha who commanded the Chamsuri 537.
“Our men clearly demonstrated our proud history that no one will cross an inch of our maritime border,” Han said.
“They move us emotionally and give a life lesson to remember.
“And their spirit continues to thrive in our hearts every day,” he added.
The two Yeonpyeong Naval battles, including one on June 15, 1999, took place near the NLL after North Korean patrol ships crossed it and opened fire on South Korean vessels.
Han vowed to make North Korea pay a price for any military provocations in the future, saying “the South Korean military will punish every one of those who are in the chain of command.”
“We’ll ensure no military provocations and threats will succeed,” he added.
The second Yeonpyeong Naval Battle had been considered a “forgotten tragedy” because it received less public awareness under the progressive-minded governments of Presidents Kim Dae-jung (February 1998-February 2003) and Roh Moo-hyun (February 2003-February 2008).
The six sailors are still grouped as those who were killed in non-emergency situations.
On June 24, Rep. Ahn Gyu-baek of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy submitted a revised veterans’ bill to the National Assembly to urge the government to honor them as killed in action.