S. Korea military on alert in aftermath of ship sinking

[cory777]

Source: AP

Associated Press
March 30, 2010

The presidential order comes after an official says a North Korean mine may be to blame.

Seoul - South Korea's president ordered the military on alert Tuesday for any moves by rival North Korea after the defense minister said last week's explosion and sinking of a South Korean ship may have been caused by a North Korean mine.

The blast ripped the 1,200-ton ship apart Friday night during a routine patrol mission near Baengnyeong Island, along the tense maritime border west of the Korean peninsula. Fifty-eight crew members, including the captain, were plucked to safety; 46 remain missing with dim prospects of finding any further survivors.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exact cause was unclear, and U.S. and South Korean officials said there was no outward indication of North Korean involvement.


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