South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan Jin yesterday visited ROK Marines based on Yeonpyeong Island, the scene of a North Korean attack in November, 2010, whereupon he urged, “At the time of a North Korean provocation, firmly punish both the source and any supporting units until they yield.”

Kim inspected all aspects of the Yeonpyeong Island base during the visit, including command and control center, radar system and forward observation post.

This visit was the latest propaganda maneuver between the two Koreas, following on from North Korea’s angry reaction to an ROK unit in Incheon, which was shown in the South Korean media to have printed battle slogans on a photo of Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Eun, by broadcasting footage on Chosun Central TV of its own military throwing knives and axes at targets daubed with the name of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak.

Kim told the troops, “The recent threatening rhetoric and artillery exercises, plus increasing numbers of visits by Kim Jong Eun and other leaders to military units, reflect the fact that the North Korean succession is incomplete.”

“The military, as the Republic of Korea’s defenders of the lives and property of its people, must respond resolutely and harshly in revenge for the Cheonan sinking and Yeonpyeong Island shelling,” he went on, adding, “You should not miss even the smallest signs of the enemy and be prepared to track them down and respond instinctively.”