S. Korean military put on alert by president
Source: Agencies |
March 31, 2010, Wednesday
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SOUTH Korea's president ordered the military on alert yesterday for any moves by North Korea after the defense minister said a mine from the rival country may have caused the explosion that sank a South Korean naval ship.
The blast ripped the 1,200-ton ship apart on Friday night during a routine patrol near Baengnyeong Island near the tense maritime border west of the divided Korean peninsula. Fifty-eight crew members, including the captain, were plucked to safety; 46 are missing, with dim prospects for their survival.
A 53-year-old diver who lost consciousness during the underwater mission to locate the missing crewmen died yesterday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
A second diver was being treated for injuries, officials said.
President Lee Myung-bak expressed his condolences, calling the death "unfortunate and regrettable," according to his office.
Military officials say the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, and United States and South Korean officials said there was no evidence of North Korean involvement.
However, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young told lawmakers on Monday that a floating mine dispatched from North Korea was one of several scenarios for the disaster.
"North Korea may have intentionally floated underwater mines to inflict damage on us," Kim said.
A North Korean defector who used to work for the North's spy agency also suggested it could have been the work of a suicide attacker.
As the search continued, divers attempted to break into the ship but made little headway due to strong currents and poor underwater visibility, Rear Admiral Lee Ki-sik of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters.
President Lee flew to the wreckage site yesterday to review search operations, meet with marines and console family members, the presidential Blue House said.
Baengnyeong is just 13 kilometers from and within sight of a North Korean military base where surface-to-ship guided missiles and artillery are deployed.
Lee told officers South Korea must maintain its military readiness until North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons program. "When we are strong, we can defend ourselves. If we are weak, we'll face more danger," Lee said. "South Korea's military should be strong."
Earlier, Lee ordered his military to stay alert for any moves by rival North Korea.
"Since the sinking took place at the front line, the military should thoroughly prepare for any move by North Korea," Lee told his Cabinet, according to his office.
South Korea's navy chief of staff Kim Sung-chan told Lee yesterday that there was no evidence the explosion was from the ship's ammunition dump. Kim also said the military does not rule out a possibility that the explosion may have been caused by a torpedo attack, according to South Korean media reports.
The blast ripped the 1,200-ton ship apart on Friday night during a routine patrol near Baengnyeong Island near the tense maritime border west of the divided Korean peninsula. Fifty-eight crew members, including the captain, were plucked to safety; 46 are missing, with dim prospects for their survival.
A 53-year-old diver who lost consciousness during the underwater mission to locate the missing crewmen died yesterday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
A second diver was being treated for injuries, officials said.
President Lee Myung-bak expressed his condolences, calling the death "unfortunate and regrettable," according to his office.
Military officials say the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, and United States and South Korean officials said there was no evidence of North Korean involvement.
However, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young told lawmakers on Monday that a floating mine dispatched from North Korea was one of several scenarios for the disaster.
"North Korea may have intentionally floated underwater mines to inflict damage on us," Kim said.
A North Korean defector who used to work for the North's spy agency also suggested it could have been the work of a suicide attacker.
As the search continued, divers attempted to break into the ship but made little headway due to strong currents and poor underwater visibility, Rear Admiral Lee Ki-sik of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters.
President Lee flew to the wreckage site yesterday to review search operations, meet with marines and console family members, the presidential Blue House said.
Baengnyeong is just 13 kilometers from and within sight of a North Korean military base where surface-to-ship guided missiles and artillery are deployed.
Lee told officers South Korea must maintain its military readiness until North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons program. "When we are strong, we can defend ourselves. If we are weak, we'll face more danger," Lee said. "South Korea's military should be strong."
Earlier, Lee ordered his military to stay alert for any moves by rival North Korea.
"Since the sinking took place at the front line, the military should thoroughly prepare for any move by North Korea," Lee told his Cabinet, according to his office.
South Korea's navy chief of staff Kim Sung-chan told Lee yesterday that there was no evidence the explosion was from the ship's ammunition dump. Kim also said the military does not rule out a possibility that the explosion may have been caused by a torpedo attack, according to South Korean media reports.
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