S. Korean president slammed as being weak

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea

South Koreans called President Lee Myung-bak “The Bulldozer” when he plowed into office nearly three years ago with vows to stop coddling North Korea with unconditional aid.

These days, however, the nickname has started to ring hollow.

It originally denoted toughness and resolve, stemming from Lee’s days as an aggressive construction CEO. But North Korea’s brazen artillery attack on a South Korean island last week and a response slammed as weak are raising questions about Lee’s readiness — and even willingness — to stand up to the North.

In the face of criticism, Lee replaced his defense minister and moved to boost troops on front-line islands. He also has promised tough consequences for any future aggression and expressed his outrage over the “ruthlessness of the North Korean regime.”

He has issued similar pledges before, and the North Korean shelling Nov. 23 that killed four South Koreans and destroyed parts of Yeonpyeong Island has prompted questions over what critics say is a failed policy toward the North.

The Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial that after Seoul blamed North Korea for sinking a South Korean warship in March, Lee “promised a ‘manifold retaliation’ in the event of another provocation and a strike on North Korea’s missile base if necessary.”

“But his warnings have proven hollow,” the newspaper said.

“Many wonder if President Lee was resolute in deciding on retaliation” for the island attack.

The government faced more headaches Thursday, when opposition lawmakers expressed outrage over South Korean spy chief Won Sei-hoon’s surprise acknowledgment of an intelligence breakdown.