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Clinton strongly supports S Korea over ship sinking
Source: Xinhua |
May 26, 2010, Wednesday
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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today voiced unequivocal support for South Korea in dealing with the alleged torpedo attack by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that killed 46 sailors in late March, calling Pyongyang's "aggression unacceptable."
Clinton said during a joint press conference with Seoul's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan that Washington is considering additional options to hold Pyongyang accountable for the sinking of the 1,200-ton corvette Cheonan, without further elaboration. Local media previously speculated Washington might be mulling possible financial sanctions against Pyongyang.
"We call on North Korea (DPRK) to halt its provocation and its policy of threats and belligerence toward its neighbors," Clinton said.
"We will be working together to chart a course of action in the United Nations Security Council," the secretary said of Seoul's moves to refer the incident to the international body. She has consulted with Chinese and Japanese leaders on the issue, Clinton said.
"We're very confident in the South Korean leadership, and their decision about how and when to move forward is one that we respect and will support," she added without giving out details on timetable for actions to be taken at the UN.
The secretary, who is on a brief one-day visit to Seoul, also showed full support for the international probe into the incident that concluded the DPRK torpedoed the corvette. Pyongyang has denied any involvement and claimed the investigation findings were fabricated.
"The international, independent investigation was objective, the evidence overwhelming, the conclusion inescapable," she said. "This was an unacceptable provocation by North Korea. And the international community has a responsibility and a duty to respond, " she added.
Clinton also backed a series of punitive measures against Pyongyang that Seoul recently announced, which includes anti- submarine drills with the United States and suspension of trade and bilateral exchanges, calling such steps "prudent" and " absolutely appropriate."
Clinton said during a joint press conference with Seoul's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan that Washington is considering additional options to hold Pyongyang accountable for the sinking of the 1,200-ton corvette Cheonan, without further elaboration. Local media previously speculated Washington might be mulling possible financial sanctions against Pyongyang.
"We call on North Korea (DPRK) to halt its provocation and its policy of threats and belligerence toward its neighbors," Clinton said.
"We will be working together to chart a course of action in the United Nations Security Council," the secretary said of Seoul's moves to refer the incident to the international body. She has consulted with Chinese and Japanese leaders on the issue, Clinton said.
"We're very confident in the South Korean leadership, and their decision about how and when to move forward is one that we respect and will support," she added without giving out details on timetable for actions to be taken at the UN.
The secretary, who is on a brief one-day visit to Seoul, also showed full support for the international probe into the incident that concluded the DPRK torpedoed the corvette. Pyongyang has denied any involvement and claimed the investigation findings were fabricated.
"The international, independent investigation was objective, the evidence overwhelming, the conclusion inescapable," she said. "This was an unacceptable provocation by North Korea. And the international community has a responsibility and a duty to respond, " she added.
Clinton also backed a series of punitive measures against Pyongyang that Seoul recently announced, which includes anti- submarine drills with the United States and suspension of trade and bilateral exchanges, calling such steps "prudent" and " absolutely appropriate."
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