S.Korean navy ship sinks in waters near NLL

Posted on : 2010-03-27 14:10 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Though the cause remains undetermined, the Defense Ministry says there was little possibility of an attack by North Korea

A Patrol Combat Corvette (PCC) sank in the ocean of South Korea in the Yellow sea near Baeknyeong Island on the evening of March 26. The Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential office in South Korea or Blue House) held a related cabinet meeting the same night. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the same night, “The Cheonan PCC sank at around 10 p.m.” They added, “The Cheonan’s mission was to patrol waters near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in order to prevent a possible assault from North Korea.”

The South Korean navy dispatched a search and rescue squad and saved 58 soldiers of the 104 crew members. The navy is engaged in an ongoing search for the remaining 46 crew members.

When the news first surfaced, some suggested the possibility of a North Korean attack, however, the Defense Ministry has stated that there was little possibility of an attack.

A Defense Ministry official said it would take a month to determine the cause of the sinking.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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