Probe IDs torpedo that sunk Cheonan: sources
Korea’s Foreign Ministry invited ambassadors from some 30 countries yesterday to brief them about the results of the Cheonan probe. From left: Canadian Ambassador Ted Lipman (on phone), Italian Ambassador Massimo Andrea Leggeri, Spanish Ambassador Juan Lena and EU Ambassador Brian McDonald. By Kim Tae-seong
The serial number, comprised of numerals and one Korean letter, were extremely similar to engravings on a North Korean torpedo the South obtained seven years ago in western waters, they said.
The Ministry of National Defense is scheduled to announce the conclusion of the probe on the March 26 sinking of the Cheonan today, conducted by civil and military experts from Korea, the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and Sweden.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said yesterday that North Korea’s involvement was “obvious” as his ministry briefed envoys from foreign nations on the investigation of the incident, which killed 46 sailors and destroyed the 1,200-ton warship.
In his meeting with European diplomats and business leaders, Yu said “a strong underwater explosion generated by the detonation of a torpedo” sunk the ship. Asked by reporters whether he thought a North Korean attack was the cause, Yu said, “It’s obvious.”
Yu also told reporters yesterday that South Korea had found “compelling evidence” last week, but the investigators needed time to thoroughly examine it.
According to the government sources, fragments of a torpedo propeller were recently collected from waters near the sinking site, including a substantial piece. The investigators found a serial number engraved on it. When compared to markings on the torpedo recovered seven years ago, they were found to be extremely similar.
In a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday, President Lee Myung-bak said South Korea will present indisputable evidence, Blue House spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said yesterday.
“When we announce the outcome of the investigation of the Cheonan’s sinking, we will present clear physical evidence that no country, no one in the world can deny,” President Lee was quoted as telling Hatoyama. The Japanese leader promised his country will play an active role in implementing countermeasures.
The Blue House said Hatoyama telephoned Lee and the conversation took about 20 minutes.
On the eve of the announcement of the probe’s conclusions, security ministers and presidential secretaries attended a policy coordination meeting at the Blue House yesterday and fine-tuned the announcement to be released today.
The military also gave journalists a close look at the severed sections of the Cheonan’s hull. The salvaged ship was shielded from public view while the investigation was ongoing. Journalists were not allowed to take photos of the interior of the ship and they agreed to embargo the images until today.
According to the military, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young has ordered as much evidence as possible to be made public in order to strengthen the credibility of the probe.
The Foreign Ministry also called together yesterday ambassadors of about 30 countries, or their deputies, including permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and updated them on the investigation. The ministry sought the nations’ help in South Korea’s future diplomatic efforts in response to the ship sinking.
While North Korea has denied responsibility, South Korea has said taking the matter to the UN Security Council would be among its options if North Korea is determined the culprit.
Britain and France, two of five permanent members on the Security Council, were briefed yesterday. Lebanon and Mexico, the current and the upcoming chairs of the Security Council in monthly rotation, also received briefings.
Ambassadors from China, Russia and Japan, members of the six-party negotiations to shut down the North’s nuclear weapons program, were briefed Tuesday. China and Russia are also permanent Security Council members.
To issue a binding resolution, unanimity in the Security Council is required. Permanent members have the right to veto, and because of their ties with North Korea, China and Russia are considered key players in any attempt to levy sanctions through Security Council resolutions.
The United States, the other permanent member of the Security Council, was not among the nations to be briefed.
But the U.S. government yesterday said it was ready to discuss raising the Cheonan issue at the UN Security Council with South Korea.
“We will be talking to South Korea about that issue, I would expect,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
“And we will continue to work with South Korea as it completes the investigation. And when there’s an announcement, we will work with South Korea and other countries in the region on the next steps.”
Crowley said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Seoul next Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry said her meetings will focus on the Cheonan aftermath.
By Seo Seung-wook, Ser Myo-ja [myoja@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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