S.Korea President accepts army chief's resignation

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak accepted his army chief’s offer to quit the post less than three weeks after he replaced the defense minister following a clash with North Korean artillery that killed four people.

Lee’s acceptance of the resignation comes after he pledged to strengthen the military following North Korea’s Nov. 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong island and the March sinking of the Cheonan warship. Hwang was appointed in June as Lee replaced several four-star generals, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, following the sinking that killed 46 sailors.

Lee named Kim Kwan Jin as defense minister just three days after the artillery barrage, amid criticism the military’s response was inadequate. Kim said at his Dec. 3 confirmation hearing that he will use all military capabilities, including air strikes, if North Korea attacks again.


Agencies