SEOUL, President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday stressed the need for the country to maintain a strong military, as the nation marked the 25th anniversary of a 1999 inter-Korean naval skirmish near the maritime border.
“The history from 25 years ago reminds us once again that peace can be maintained through strong power,” Yoon wrote on his Facebook page. “As the commander-in-chief, I promise to maintain a firm state of readiness to ensure the protection of the lives and safety of our people.”
Yoon, who was touring Central Asia on a three-nation trip, also extended his gratitude to the military personnel for dedicating themselves to national defense, while pledging to build a stronger country with “our heroes.”
The 1999 skirmish took place near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border in the Yellow Sea, scuttling one North Korean ship and wreaking havoc on nine others.
The South’s Navy suffered no casualties, while South Korean officials estimated dozens of North Korean soldiers were killed.
Source: Yonhap News Agency