(CNN) -- South Korea's president said Monday the country should respond to the attack on Yeonpyeong Island the same way the United States reacted to the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York -- by using the event as an opportunity to reflect on security and overhaul the country's defenses.
Speaking during his New Year's address, President Lee Myung-bak called the November attack a turning point and warned North Korea that any future "provocations" would be met with "stern, strong responses".
"The shelling of Yeonpyeong Island ... served as an opportunity for us to reflect on our security readiness and overhaul our defense posture," he said. "Peace cannot be obtained without a price".
Tensions have been running high between North and South Korea ever since the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan last March, killing 46 sailors. CNN
