Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin (center) speaks at the meeting of major field commanders in the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday. Act First, Report Later, Defense Chief Tells Officers -- Chosun Ilbo
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin on Tuesday ordered frontline commanders to respond to any North Korean provocations first and report up the chain of command afterward. The order came in response to criticism that no one in the military was willing to take responsibility for firmly repelling North Korea's artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island for fear of escalation.
At an emergency meeting with 150 major field commanders at the ministry, Kim said, "Try to suppress North Korean acts of provocation as best as you can, but if it does launch a provocation, guarantee the right of self-defense of your subordinate commanders and deliver a powerful response until the source of the threat is removed."
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My Comment: The South Korean Government has taken the hand-cuffs off for their military to respond immediately to any North Korean attack or provocation. Does this heighten the possibility of war in the region .... definitely .... but in view of what has happened since the sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan earlier this year and the inability (or unwillingness) of countries like China or institutions like the UN to reign in the North .... the South Koreans had no choice.