President Lee Myung Bak delivered the presidential New Year\u2019s address this Monday morning, once again reiterating both the importance of national security based on firm deterrence and the need for North Korea to change its ways. <\/p>\n
Stating that, \u201cPeace does not come free,\u201d President Lee asserted, \u201cAny provocation which threatens our lives and property cannot be excused. For provocations, there must be only resolute and strong punishment.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not possible for the situation before and after the Yeonpyeong Island provocation to be the same,\u201d President Lee went on, \u201cFacing up to the 9\/11 terror, the U.S. established its security and national strategies. This was because people\u2019s lives had been threatened. We have to be equipped with resolute deterrent power, so that North Korea cannot so much as think of further provocations. In order to do that, I will accelerate reform of our national defense systems.\u201d <\/p>\n
In addition, he added, \u201cStarting now, peace and reunification policies must be established and implemented based on sound security. In addition, we must make an effort to get our North Korean brethren to take part in the journey for freedom and prosperity.\u201d <\/p>\n
Turning his words toward the North Korean regime, President Lee asserted, \u201cThere is nothing to be gained from military adventurism. You cannot talk about the nation and peace while shelling civilians and threatening the same nation with nuclear weapons.\u201d
\n\u201cNorth Korea has to take on board both the national longing for peace and prosperity and international demands. It must give up its nuclear programs and military adventurism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the state of inter-Korean relations, however, President Lee again reiterated that there is still the possibility of a conversation with North Korea, saying that, \u201cThe door for dialogue has still not closed. Once North Korea shows its sincerity, we have a plan with the international community to develop economic cooperation dramatically.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Lee Myung Bak delivered the presidential New Year\u2019s address this Monday morning, once again reiterating both the importance of national security based on firm deterrence and the need for North Korea to change its ways. Stating that, \u201cPeace does not come free,\u201d President Lee asserted, \u201cAny provocation which threatens our lives and property cannot […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":154,"featured_media":14208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n