Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States continued in the Yellow Sea on Monday, as tensions with nearby North Korea continue to brew.
On Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said South Korea will "firmly" respond to future provocations from North Korea and declared that his nation "cannot remain patient" in the face of continued hostility from Pyongyang.
"Fellow citizens, at this point, actions are more important than words," Lee said in a televised address. "Please have trust in the government and the military and support us."
The divided peninsula -- tense at the best of times -- has been near the boiling point since Tuesday, when four people died in a North Korean artillery barrage that targeted the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong.
Lee called that attack an "inhuman crime" that followed decades of previous attacks from North Korea, including the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March.
North Korea has consistently denied responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors.
"It is difficult at this point to expect North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons or military adventurism," Lee said. "We are now clearly aware that we cannot stay patient and be generous. That will only give rise to bigger provocations."
more
No comments:
Post a Comment