From wharms@soback.kornet.nm.kr
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 21:07:38 -0900
From: Bill Harms 
To: moogoonghwa@UCSD.EDU
Subject: Defense Self-Examination

Korea TIme Editorial; Defense Self-Examination

96-09-23 18:51:03

North Korea finally opened its mouth about the infiltration into the South
by a submarine with an awkward claim that the vessel was on a routine
training mission. It was another attempt of the North Korean communists to
deceive the whole world after having a score of its armed men die worthless
death. 

The spokesman for the North Korean Ministry of People's Armed Forces said
the sub was on a routine training mission and strayed into South Korean
waters due to engine trouble, demanding the return of the vessel, its crew
and the bodies of the dead. But Pyongyang failed to explain why then the
crewmen made the solemn vow to their leader Kim Jong-il to accomplish
their``mission'' even at the sacrifice of their lives as the note left in
the abandoned submarine said. 

Also we need an explanation why the North Koreans were carrying South Korean
arms and dressed in ROK Army uniforms. If they were on a ``routine training
mission,'' we can only suppose that their infiltration into the South has
become a routine activity to cross into southern waters and to conduct
reconnaissance or other missions, including planting espionage agents. 

If they have any bit of sensitivity, the North Korean leaders should direct
its infiltrators to give themselves up to the South Korean Army searchers
and seek proper treatment as military prisoners, thereby saving their lives. 

In the week-long search operation, we have suffered the death of three
military men and one civilian. We pay out the highest tribute to the
soldiers who were killed by North Korean guerrillas as they mopped them up
and at the same time, the nation should be grateful to all of the members of
our armed forces who are participating in the search operation, bravely
risking their lives in the face of the infiltrators' desperate resistance. 

Understandably, commanders responsible for the anti-guerrilla operation are
trying to wind it up as quickly as possible and at least before the Chusok
holiday this coming Friday. But the Army is called on to be prudent to avoid
the loss of the precious lives of our soldiers as they search for the
elusive insurgents in the steep mountainous areas of Kangwon-do. 

It is encouraging that the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution
condemning the North Korean intrusion as a flagrant military provocation and
not just a simple espionage operation. The Assembly resolution urges
friendly foreign countries and the international community to cooperate
closely with our efforts to deter North Korea's hostile actions, which
continue to threaten peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and
throughout the Northeast Asian region. 

Above all, it is imperative that the nation reviews its defense through a
thorough self-examination by the military of its readiness as the incident
proves the unreliability of our protection against North Korean
infiltrations. The degree of vulnerability of our defense line is
illustrated in the testimony of Li Kwang-su, the only intruder captured
alive out of the 26 or so commandos in the team, who said that North Korea
had successfully infiltrated the South from the sea more than three times
with commando teams since 1993, in extravagant praise of his comrades' prowess. 

To recall, until a few years ago, those who warned against and criticized
the sustained North Korean attempts to communize the South by force tended
to be denounced as conservatives, while pro-North Korean elements who
supported or sympathized with North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and his son
Jong-il were mistakenly regarded as progressive democratic forces. 

Deplorably, there are even pro-Pyongang people who maintain that our
government and the people should have sent delegations to deliver our
condolences on the death of North Korean chieftain Kim Il-sung, the very
person who started the Korean War on June 25, 1950, an unforgettable event
that resulted in the deaths of millions of Koreans and peace-loving people
from other nations who came to their aid. 

To our great regret, pro-North Korean elements have gained a voice in the
youth in the last few years, especially since the non-military government of
President Kim Young-sam took power early in 1993. As a result the general
alertness to North Korean hostility and provocations has been much weakened. 






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