South Korea will take Pyongyang to the UN Security Council as part of measures it will pursue over the sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack, officials said.
An international team of investigators announced last week that a North Korean submarine fired a homing torpedo on March 26, tearing apart the 1,200-tonne Cheonan and killing 46 sailors on board. North Korea called the investigation results a fabrication and warned any retaliation would trigger war.
On Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will address the nation to define the tragedy as a “clear armed provocation” by North Korea and disclose his resolve to take “stern” action against the regime, according to his press adviser, Lee Dong-kwan. Mr Lee will announce what measures South Korea can take against North Korea on its own and in cooperation with the international community, the adviser said. The President “will also speak about referring (North Korea) to the UN Security Council,” he said. It is unclear what measures Seoul would solicit from the world body against Pyongyang. In general, however, punitive measures against a country involved in provocative acts include economic sanctions and adopting a statement condemning its acts, a presidential official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy. President Lee will also announce that South Korea will take all available “strong countermeasures” if North Korea engages in additional provocations, the adviser said.
After Mr Lee makes a speech, his defence, foreign and unification ministers will hold a joint press conference later on Monday to disclose what specific steps they will take against North Korea, according to the presidential adviser.
He gave no details. But news reports have said those measures include South Korea’s massive anti-submarine drills with the US near the site of the sinking.
—AP