South Korea names new Minister of Defense

South Korea names new Minister of Defense

2010-11-26 22:15:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (BNO NEW) — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Friday named the country's new Minister of Defense after Kim Tae-young on Thursday resigned following strong criticism for his response to North Korea's attack this week.

Former Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Kim Kwan-jin, 61, of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, with 40 years of experience, was named due to his "expertise and insight in policy and strategy," President Lee said.

"He has been assessed as a typical soldier with rationality and strong leadership," senior Cheong Wa Dae secretary for public affairs Hong Sang-pyo said.

Former Minister of Defense Kim had first intended to resign in May after the North Korean attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan in March, but it was not until Thursday that President Lee Myung-bak accepted his resignation after the attack on the border island of Yeonpyeong.

After the attack, Kim decided not to use its air force in order to avoid a full war, but the country has vowed to increase its security measures in the Yellow Sea. However, harsh criticism has questioned the country's tolerance regarding foreign attacks.

The attack on Yeonpeyong began around 2.30 p.m. local time on Tuesday when North Korea fired nearly 200 artillery shells near the South Korean island, which has a population of nearly 1,700.

The attack came days after North Korea unveiled a vast new facility it secretly and rapidly built to enrich uranium.

Local officials said a total of 22 buildings, mostly civilian houses, were either hit by the shells or destroyed by ensuing fires after Tuesday's attack. The two civilians, both men in their 60s who were working on a construction site for the Marines, were found dead on Wednesday.

Most of the island's residents have already evacuated to the nearby port city of Incheon ahead of a planned U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise.

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