No more repeat of 1950 Korean war, says Navy officer

MANILA, Philippines - A senior South Korean Navy officer gave assurance yesterday that the 1950 Korean War will no longer happen.

Speaking during the four-day goodwill visit of a South Korean Navy contingent, Rear Adm. Dong Kyun Kim said the current security situation in the Korean Peninsula remains stable.

“In my personal view, North Korea will not go to war with just a handful of missiles,” he said.

The destroyer Choi Young under the command of Capt. Chul Hur arrived with fast combat support ship Dae Chong, commanded by Capt. Taek Keun Song.

The two ships have a total crew of 620, including 120 midshipmen.

Speaking through an interpreter aboard the Choi Young, Dong said North Korea could not afford to wage an all-out war against South Korea.

The conflict with North Korea ended 10 years ago, he added.

The South Korean Navy Cruise Training Task Group commander said the possibility of North Korea going to war with South Korea, gauging its resources, “is really low.”

“(The two Koreas must) never repeat killing their own brothers,” he said.

However, Dong said South Korea is prepared for any attack from North Korea with the help of the US and the Philippines.

“Fifty nine years ago, we were not ready for it,” he said.

“But the three years of war made us learn so much,” he said.

Korea survived the war because of the invaluable sacrifices of allies like the Philippines, he added.

Dong said the lessons from the war made the South Korean Navy the fighting force that it is today.

“We invested so much in the defense area, and this ship is the product,” he said.   – Jaime Laude