 President Lee Myung-bak, right, salutes alongside Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, third from left, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Han Min-koo, second from left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Kye-hoon prior to a meeting of top military brass at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times Photo by Sohn Yong-seok |
Task force on national security to be formed
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday South Korea will share the results of the ongoing investigation into the March 26 sinking of the Navy vessel Cheonan with the rest of the world and discuss stern action against those responsible.
He also urged the military to bolster its defense readiness and crisis management capabilities, suggesting a sweeping military reform. Lee said he will establish a presidential task force on national security soon to reshape the country's defense posture and discuss the future of its military.
"What's clear now is that the ship sinking was not a simple accident," Lee said during a meeting with top Army, Navy and Air Force commanders at the Ministry of National Defense.
"International experts are now working with us to find the exact cause. We will inform the world of the results of the investigation as soon as it is completed. Regardless of that, we have our own job to do. We must check our defense readiness and make a change for the better."
This was the first time that an incumbent President has chaired such a meeting. Some 150 military commanders, including Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Lee Sang-eui and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Sung-chan were in attendance.
President Lee stopped short of pointing to North Korea as being behind the naval disaster. However, his remarks strongly suggest that he now believes the communist nation was involved in the sinking, which occurred near the western sea border with the North, claiming the lives of 46 sailors.
"As commander-in-chief, I feel great sadness and responsibility," said the conservative leader. "I will take all possible measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again and deal resolutely with those responsible."
The meeting came as North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is visiting China for a summit with President Hu Jintao in Beijing. Observers predict the summit will focus on Seoul's move to take the Cheonan incident to the U.N. Security Council, the stalled six-nation nuclear talks and economic aid to North Korea.
The envisioned security task force is expected to serve as a control tower for Lee's military reform. Cheong Wa Dae plans to create the new post of special secretary for national security.
It will also bolster the function of the crisis management center at the underground bunker inside the presidential office to better respond to emergency situations.
The military has come under fire for poor initial handling of the ship sinking.
Defense Minister Kim and JCS Chairman Lee were not informed of the incident for about an hour after it had occurred. Search and rescue operations were also delayed as the Navy failed to locate where the ship sank for two days.
Sources said Lee may replace some commanders as part of efforts to renew the security posture. The reshuffle, however, may not take place at an early date given remaining security risks and Lee's governing style, they said.
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