We will bomb N. Korea with jets – S. Korea

President Lee Myung-bak’s choice for new Minister of Defence said yesterday that South Korean jets will bomb North Korea if Pyongyang stages an attack similar to last week’s deadly artillery barrage.

The tough words came as Mr Lee’s government suffered intense criticism that the response to the North’s November 23 shelling on a South Korean island was weak, and over a stunning revelation that the South’s spy chief dismissed information in August indicating North Korea might attack the front-line island.

Mr Lee’s nominee, Kim Kwan-jin, told a parliamentary confirmation hearing that North Korean aggression will result in airstrikes.

He said South Korea will use all its combat capabilities to retaliate.

“In case the enemy attacks our territory and people again, we will thoroughly retaliate to ensure that the enemy cannot provoke again,” Mr Kim said.