South Korean military''s rules of engagement will be revised and strengthen to counter further North Korea''s provocative actions following the North''s bombardment on Yeonpyeong Island near inter-Korean maritime border last week.

The President convened an emergency national security and economy review meeting on Nov. 25 at the Blue House. Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and other security and economy related ministers, including Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, as well as presidential office aides attended the meeting.
 

The President, second from right, and government ministers as well as presidential office aides pay silent tribute honoring victims from North Korea''s bombardment on Yeonpyeong Island before starting an emergency national security and economy review meeting at the Blue House on Nov. 25.

First of all, the government decided to revise existing rules of engagement that leads to stronger counterattack against the North''s attack. Many evaluate current rules of engagement as passive one that only focus on extended deterrence.

Most of all, contents of the rules of engagement will be established with two separate ones - one to deal with attacks aimed at civilians and another to cope with provocations toward the military.

In addition, the government is planning to boost military capabilities on the west coast island near the maritime border. It will also increase defense budget aimed at strengthening South Korean military capabilities to defend against Pyongyang''s asymmetric military threats.

Plan to reduce the number of marines on west coast islands that was set up in 2006 is going to be abolished. In particular, the government decided to reinforce safety measures to protect civilians on west coast islands.

"We should not loosen our tension since there is chance of further attacks from the North," the President said. "Same kind of attack like the latest one [on Yeonpyeong Island] can happen again in any time."

Especially, the President gave an order to reinforce an alert on the west coast and protect the area thoroughly by setting up the best military weapons and tools to tackle possible regional wars and asymmetric threats.

The government decided to continue on with diplomatic efforts with international community to pressure North Korea. In particular, it is going to put more diplomatic strength on China where it can play constructive role.

Whether to approve civic groups in South Korea send aids to the North will also be carefully considered by studying people''s sentiment and overall inter-Korean situation comprehensively.

In addition to security related matters, the government mulled over comprehensive measures for national economy following the North''s attack.

Firstly, the government gave positive assessment on economy sector as domestic financial market is being stabilized relatively in a fast pace despite the North''s provocation due to mature civic awareness and strong economic base.

However, it will keep on monitoring economic situation 24 hours by not loosening alert status even though financial market is stabilizing.

The President directed ministers and aides to share information and explain South Korea''s economic status accurately to foreign media, investors, credit-rating agencies and opinion leaders for the sake of national interest.

"Government officials and military leaders must not loosen up and thoroughly prepare for emergencies," said the President. "But ordinary routine works have to be in normal. That is how we should show the stability of our society."