Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The United Nations Security Council is considering how to condemn the sinking of ROKS Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors, without blaming North Korea directly for the attack. This is the gist of a statement to be voted today.
The draft, put forward by the US, "deplores the loss of life" on the corvette Cheonan, which sank on 26 March. It also expresses deep concern about the findings of a multinational investigation, which blamed Pyongyang for the sinking.
An international team of experts that examined the wreck concluded that a torpedo launched by a North Korean miniature submarine sank the warship.
The statement has already been approved by the five permanent members of the Security Council, including China, which has taken more neutral stance vis-à-vis the incident.
In its public statements, Beijing has condemned acts that threaten the peace on the Korean Peninsula. It has also said that it would not cover for anyone but it did not directly mention Pyongyang.
South Korea, which expected a direct condemnation of North Korea, expressed its regrets for the Council’s decision, but added that it would accept the statement.
In the meantime, Seoul announced that it would go ahead with planned joint military exercises with the United States.
The US George Washington, a nuclear-powered 97,000-tonne carrier, reportedly left Yokosuka, Japan, home to the US 7th Fleet along with an Aegis-equipped destroyer as well as a nuclear-powered submarine. The South Korean Navy will mobilise a 4,500-ton destroyer, a submarine and F-15K fighter jets.
North Korea responded to the announcement of the joint drill by threatening total war over the slightest incident that might occur off its coast.
