S. Korean defense minister vows `punitive action` against ship sinking

SEOUL, May 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense chief said Saturday some
"punitive" action ought to be taken against those responsible for last month's
sinking of a warship that is widely believed to be caused by a North Korean
attack.
South Korea has not officially blamed anyone for the March 26 sinking of the
1,200-ton Cheonan near the border with North Korea that left 46 sailors killed or
missing, but suspicion has grown of the North's involvement.
After examining the salvaged wreckages, investigators preliminarily concluded
that the vessel was sunk by a so-called bubble jet effect, a massive water
pillar caused when a torpedo or sea mine explodes near a ship without striking
it. North Korea has denied involvement.
"I believe a punitive action of any form should be taken against perpetrators who
killed our soldiers," Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said on a pre-recorded KBS
TV program to be aired on Sunday. "Those responsible for the deaths of the
soldiers should pay the price."
The Cheonan was on a routine patrol mission when a mysterious blast tore it into
two and sank near the Yellow Sea border with North. The area is the scene of
three deadly naval clashes between the two Koreas in 1999, 2002 and most recently
in November. Fifty-eight sailors were rescued before the ship sank.
Testifying before a parliamentary committee on Friday, the defense minister said
that officials were scrutinizing pieces of aluminum, a key material in making a
torpedo, that were picked up from the disaster area.
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