Sailor rescue a political boon for Lee

Successful raid on hijacked ship also a message to N.K.: expert


The successful military operation Friday to rescue all of the 21 crew members of a South Korean freighter held by Somali pirates is apparently a crucial political boon for President Lee Myung-bak.

Internet sites are now inundated with messages supporting the president and his military that were harshly upbraided for what critics called “inadequate and slow” responses to the two North Korean attacks last year, which together killed 50 South Koreans including two civilians.

Some observers noted Seoul might have sought to deliver a warning to the belligerent communist neighbor through the bold operation against the pirates.

The operation appears to be a chance for the president ― whose public support has waned as he enters the fourth year of his five-year term ― to establish himself as a determined leader who does not tolerate any illegality that threatens the safety of his people.

The boon came as Lee was faltering under criticism for his “inept” personnel management, which came after his pick for the top state auditor post, Chung Tong-ki, withdrew amid rising public antipathy toward the privileges he was granted for his former job as a prosecutor.

The discord between the ruling Grand National Party and Cheong Wa Dae over the president’s nominee even sparked talk of the president becoming a lame duck.

Particularly, on the homepage of the presidential office, a slew of messages praised the president’s timely decision to endorse the military rescue operation. Messages which criticized the presidential policies were few.

During the five-hour operation, except for the 57-year-old captain of the Samho Jewelry freighter who suffered abdominal gunshot wounds, no crew members were hurt. Eight pirates were shot dead and five others were captured alive.

“Ninety-nine percent of the citizens are clapping hands for you, President Lee,” a message posted by Yang Dong-seok reads.

Another message, written by Park Jin-hoon, reads, “Although I have been against MB (President Lee Myung-bak), opposing his political beliefs, economic policies and other things, I am now feeling very happy. He made a very big decision in a timely manner as a leader.”

Cheong Wa Dae’s page on the social networking website Facebook is also filled with praise for President Lee.

“Lee is a president who protected the citizens,” one message reads. Another reads, “I am proud of myself being a citizen of the Republic of Korea.”

Lee Gil-ho, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson in charge of online affairs, said that it is heartening to see public opinion, particularly from young generations, turning positive for the president.

The ruling party also issued a statement touting the president’s leadership manifested in the rescue operation, indicating that the successful operation served as a catalyst to improve relations between the party and president.

“We’d like to extend our gratitude to the president for his measures that protected the citizens and to the military and allied militaries who conducted the operation,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, a U.S. media outlet, the Christian Science Monitor said Friday that Seoul sought to deliver a warning to North Korea through the successful operation against the pirates.

“South Korea sought to portray its stunning rescue Friday of a cargo ship captured by Somali pirates as proof that it’s ready and willing to take on aggressors from the Arabian Sea to North Korea,” it said in an article.

Citing comments from Andrew Salmon, a Korean War historian and Seoul-based journalist, the article also said, “Somali pirates clearly are not as dangerous as the (North) Korean People’s Army. Many South Koreans would like to see a muscular response, but the risks are far greater against the KPA.”

“This is a very robust response by the South Koreans against a third-rate enemy ― and sends a useful message to the North Koreans.”

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)