South Korean Defence Minister Resigns After Attacks

Kim Tae-young was under pressure for his weak response to North Korean aggression.

A spokesperson for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said he has accepted Kim’s resignation. Kim was criticized by both major parties for being unprepared to deal with North Korea, even though the military threat from Pyongyang is the single major defence issue South Korea faces. The minister was under pressure ever since a submarine was torpedoed in March, killing 46 South Korean sailors. In the wake of the North Korean artillery attack on Tuesday, Seoul said it will go ahead with planned military drills in the border region, and the USS George Washington is en route to take part in the exercise. North Korea continues to issue warnings that it will interpret the drills as provocation and will retaliate.