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Deputy Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Ahn Ki-seok announced new rules of engagement (ROE) had been sent to naval vessels, Tuesday, with regard to North Korean violations of the Northern Limit Line. ROK Naval ships can now fire a warning shot from a safe distance without issuing an audio warning, nor engaging in blocking maneuvers. Previously the ROE consisted of an audio warning, threatening maneuvers, blocking maneuvers, a warning shot and then engagement with weapons.
The new ROKN ROE, however contradicts President Kim Dae-jung's order issued before the June 1999 West Sea clash, which states that South Korean vessels should not open fire first. Chief of Operations at the JCS General Lee Sang-hee said the order was limited to the 1999 clash, however, experts say the chief executives order superceded the navy's then ROE.
In related news the Mainichi Shinbum, reported the South Korean government had told the US and Japan the incident was the result of an accident and not pre-planned by North Korea, asking them to react calmly. The Mainichi said the claim was made following examination of tapes monitoring the North's communications.
The report contradicts JCS statements that the clash was planned provocation by Pyongyang. A government official explained the government's statement to the two, meant that the clash was not designed to start a war.
However, critics say the administrations position appears to be defending North Korea despite the loss of a navy patrol boat and the lives of four ROKN sailors.
(Yoo Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )
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