Defense minister to warn N. Korea on battle anniversary
Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Sunday he will attend a ceremony this week to commemorate those who were killed in an inter-Korean naval clash 13 years ago.
The ceremony will be held Monday on the anniversary of the naval skirmish that broke out off South Korea's border island of Yeonpyeong, leaving six South Korean sailors dead and 18 others injured.
"The greatest respectful treatment by a state is to remember and commemorate (the victims) at every opportunity," Han said during a lunch meeting with reporters.
Han plans to deliver a commemorative speech, which will also include a strong message of warning to North Korea, a government source said on condition of anonymity.
Defense ministers of the past have attended some of the previous years' anniversary ceremonies to accompany either the prime minister or president at the time, but it will be the first time for a defense minister to deliver a commemorative speech.
The move apparently reflects the public's growing interest in the battle following the recent release of a film depicting it.
"The film production of the Battle of Yeonpyeong has made the public well aware of it, so we plan to use this opportunity to reflect on its meaning," a military official said.
The movie, "Northern Limit Line," surpassed 1 million viewers earlier in the day, according to its distributor NEWS.
After watching the film on its opening day Wednesday, Han said it is important to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country.
On North Korea, the defense minister said the communist country could carry out a provocation "at the strategic level" around the 70th anniversary of the foundation of its ruling Workers' Party on Oct. 10.
"The expansion of the missile launch site (in Dongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province) hasn't been completed yet," he said. "It appears that it will be completed by October."
Such threats from the North have created the conditions for defense talks between South Korea and Japan, but any decision on a bilateral defense ministers' meeting will depend on the two countries' overall ties, Han said.
Relations between South Korea and Japan have only recently begun to show signs of a thaw following years of tensions over disputes related to their shared history.
Meanwhile, the ruling Saenuri Party also plans to mark the anniversary of the naval skirmish to raise public awareness of security issues, according to party officials.
Chairman Kim Moo-sung and other members of the party's leadership plan to attend Monday's anniversary ceremony and meet with the families of those who were killed in the battle.
They also plan to watch the film, together with some 90 young party staff members. (Yonhap)
-
雅安市举办首届“文轩教育”校园足球精英夏令营LIV Golf bid for ranking points rejectedA peek into N. Korean leader's summer retreatNeymar to undergo knee surgery尝“鲜”盛宴,等你来探!2024年清远西牛麻竹笋尝鲜季即将启幕23 people booked for unauthorized French pigments in macaronsYouTube tells creators to expect more video removals during coronavirus pandemicSwiatek sets up Gauff semiI went to an offline dating event for singles. Here's how it went.郁南邀您品黄皮干,尝无核沙糖桔!
- ·16 of the Most Epic Sandwiches Around the Planet
- ·Ukraine tweeting a 'Simpsons' GIF at Russia is peak 2017 politics
- ·LIV Golf bid for ranking points rejected
- ·N. Korean officials mobilized to support rural projects
- ·How to watch 'Kinds of Kindness': When is it streaming?
- ·Lebanon bans the new 'Wonder Woman' movie
- ·广东最美托管员评选启动!快来报名参加吧
- ·高峰期间增派警力 因地制宜强化管制措施
- ·[Herald Review] Tori Kelly thrills fans, hints her love for Korean artists
- ·芦山县公安局民警收缴一批赌博机
- ·Tiger hitting golf shots again
- ·Rupi Kaur on using poetry to heal
- ·Republicans on abortion
- ·US, North Korea continue tug
- ·Elon Musk says Tesla will make ventilators for hospitals if needed
- ·How to flirt when you've just come out as bisexual
- ·微视频广东:在推进中国式现代化建设中走在前列
- ·Is James Corden trying to usurp Ryan Seacrest as the busiest man in showbiz?
- ·芦山县公安局民警收缴一批赌博机
- ·US backs South Korea amid illegal imports of North Korean coal
- ·Apple iPod: The First 10 Years of the Ubiquitous Media Player
- ·Social distancing isn't fun but Group FaceTime can help you get through it
- ·Rupi Kaur on using poetry to heal
- ·Japan looks to youth at Paris 2024
- ·NASA's new plan keeps Starliner astronauts in space until 2025
- ·六天时间 归案13名在逃人员
- ·Freedom from Dissent
- ·Unified Korean team to face South Koreans at int'l ping pong event
- ·Social distancing isn't fun but Group FaceTime can help you get through it
- ·Denuke talks may gain impetus with Kim
- ·How do you make safe, cheap nuclear reactors? Bury them a mile deep
- ·N. Korean officials mobilized to support rural projects
- ·Biles back in style, wins 20th world title
- ·Brazil held, Argentina stay perfect
- ·What Ever Happened to Winamp?
- ·Unified Korean team to face South Koreans at int'l ping pong event