World | North Korea attacks South Korea South Korea Eases Retaliation Rules President walks tightrope over response to attacks By Matt Cantor Posted Nov 26, 2010 11:00 AM CST Copied South Korean navy ships sail near the Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) After declaring plans to boost defenses, South Korea announced a shift in military policy to make retaliation easier, the New York Times reports. New rules will allow South Korea’s military a more forceful response to any attack from Pyongyang. But with the public largely opposed to a military response, President Lee Myung-bak is in a tight spot. While Lee has been under fire for a series of muted responses to North Korean aggression, many South Koreans worry that retaliation could be dangerous. “North Korea has nothing to lose, while we have everything to lose,” said an expert in Seoul. “Lee Myung-bak has no choice but to soften his tone to keep this country peaceful.” Read These Next Negative press coverage should get TV licenses yanked, Trump says. Here's what late-night hosts had to say about Jimmy Kimmel. Autopsy is in for Black student found hanged from tree at college. A judge found Trump's NYT lawsuit was way too long. Report an error