Perilous Times
From Times Online
May 20, 2010
‘All out war’ threatened over North Korea attack on warship Cheonan
Anne Barrowclough
North Korea has threatened “all out war” if there is any retalation
from Seoul for the torpedo attack which sank the South Korean warship
Cheonan in March.
Pyongyang made the threat as it dismissed as ‘fabrication’ a report by
an international team of investigators which concludes that a torpedo
fired by a North Korean submarine was responsible for the explosion
that ripped the 1,200 corvette in two, killing 46 sailors in one of
South Korea’s worst naval tragedies.
In an escalating war of words, President Lee Myung-Bak, the South
Korean president vowed to take “resolute countermeasures” against North
Korea for the torpedo attack on the Cheonan, which happened near the
disputed border between the two countries.
The investigators’ report, published today, concludes: “The evidence
points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the torpedo was fired by a
North Korean submarine.
“There is no other plausible explanation.”
Britain and the US threw their support behind the report’s findings.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, condemned the attack and its
‘total indifference to human life’.
“The UK and international partners are committed to working closely
with the Republic of Korea as they consider an appropriate multilateral
response to this callous act,” he said.
The White House described the attack as an act of aggression that
constituted a challenge to international peace and security.
The issue is set to dominate the agenda during Hillary Clinton’s Asian
tour which begins today.
Kurt Campbell, America’s most senior diplomat for Asia, said “a central
issue of discussion” for the US Secretary of State’s talks with Chinese
officials would be “their assessments of developments in North Korea
and their reaction to the report.”
The United States “strongly supports” the investigation’s conclusions
and “has a deep, enduring and profound (interest) in the maintenance of
peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,” he said.
In a telephone conversation with Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime
Minister, Mr Lee promised strong measures against Pyongyang for the
attack.
“Resolute countermeasures will be taken against North Korea,” Mr Lee
said
South Korea, through strong international cooperation, “should make
North Korea admit its wrongdoing and return as a responsible member of
the international community”, he added.
The ship’s sinking is expected to be taken before the UN Security
Council.