Pres. Lee marks 1st anniversary of Yeonpyeong attack

Pres. Lee marks 1st anniversary of Yeonpyeong attack. November. 24, 2011 02:25. srkim@donga.com pen@donga.com.

President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday visited the Northwest Islands Defense Command in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to mark the first anniversary of North Korea’s artillery attack on the South Korean frontline island of Yeonpyeong.

In a meeting with troops there, President Lee reaffirmed his pledge to “never forget those who sacrificed their lives for the country.” He said at the luncheon with the soldiers, “The people trust the military and the Marine Corps as they have seen the firm resolution by the public and the military, particularly the troops defending the northwestern islands, that they will never let the same thing happen again.”

In a video phone conversation with Marines deployed to Yeonpyeong, President Lee said, “North Korea makes provocations when we are weak. North Korea has not offered an official apology yet. But I expect the North will at some point give its official position (on an apology) for the sake of national reconciliation."

The president was originally scheduled to visit a Marine unit on Yeonpyeong on a helicopter but the destination was changed to the defense command due to bad weather, said the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

The government held a memorial ceremony at Daejeon National Cemetery for those killed in the artillery attack. About 3,000 people attended including Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin.

“The government will make no compromises and respond sternly to anything that threatens the safety of our people and the security of our nation,” Prime Minister Kim said.

At a peace park on Yeonpyeong, torso memorial statues dedicated to Sgt. First Class Seo Jeong-u and Pvt. First Class Moon Gwang-uk were unveiled. The two Marines were killed in the attack.