Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


South Korea Repeats Vow of Retaliation Against North Korea

   VOA News 04 December 2010
   Newly  appointed  Defense  Minister  Kim  Kwan-jin  salutes during his
   inauguration  ceremony  at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea,
   04 Dec. 2010

Photo: AP

   Newly  appointed  Defense  Minister  Kim  Kwan-jin  salutes during his
   inauguration  ceremony  at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea,
   04 Dec. 2010

   South  Korea's  new  defense  minister  has  vowed  a  strong military
   response  that  he  says  would  force North Korea to surrender if the
   communist nation attacks the South again.
   Retired  General  Kim Kwan-jin said after he took office Saturday that
   if  North  Korea  carries  out a military provocation again, the South
   must  retaliate  immediately  and  strongly until Pyongyang completely
   surrenders.
   Kim  also called for military readiness, saying North Korea would plot
   new provocations.
   Speaking   at  his  parliamentary  confirmation  hearing  Friday,  Kim
   dismissed  fears  that retaliation could escalate into war, citing the
   prowess of the South Korean and U.S. militaries.
   Kim's  predecessor  resigned  after  the  government was criticized as
   reacting  weakly  to a North Korean artillery barrage November 23 on a
   South Korean island that killed two civilians and two Marines.

.