Clinton: Attack on S. Korean ship ‘requires a strong but measured response’
From Secretary Clinton’s news conference today in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, it appears that the reaction to North Korea’s attack on the Cheonan will be stern words, some sort of U.N. Security Council action (sanctions?), and joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. It seems a somewhat weak response given that a ...
From Secretary Clinton’s news conference today in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, it appears that the reaction to North Korea’s attack on the Cheonan will be stern words, some sort of U.N. Security Council action (sanctions?), and joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. It seems a somewhat weak response given that a country deliberately attacked a ship and killed 46 sailors, all unprovoked. But on the other hand, what can you really do, especially if you’re South Korea, bordering the crazy North? As Clinton said, the attack "requires a strong but measured response."
A snippet from Clinton at the news conference:
Over the last week I have consulted with leaders in Japan and China, and we have stayed in close contact with our friends here in Seoul about the best way forward. We will be working together to chart a course of action in the United Nations Security Council, and I want to acknowledge Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s strong statement on this issue.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries have announced plans for joint exercises, and we will explore further enhancements to our posture on the Peninsula, to ensure readiness, and to deter future attacks. The United States is also reviewing additional options and authorities to hold North Korea and its leaders accountable. We call on North Korea to halt its provocation and its policy of threats and belligerence toward its neighbors, and take steps now to fulfill its denuclearization commitments, and comply with international law.
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