Thaindian News

New York, May 20 (DPA) The United Nations said Thursday that findings about North Korea’s sinking of a South Korean naval ship are “troubling”, but it refused to be drawn into the brewing crisis that could break out into open conflict.
North Korea has threatened war if the Seoul government would seek punitive measures from the UN Security Council.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said at UN headquarters in New York it would be up to Seoul to bring the matter before the 15-nation council, following procedures with the assistance of allies in that body. The United States is Seoul’s strongest ally there.

“Obviously it’s not for us to prejudge what the Republic of Korea will do in coming days and how it will take the matter forward from the findings that were announced (on Wednesday),” Nesirky said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship allegedly by a North Korea torpedo in March, killing 46 South Korean sailors, was “troubling”.

Ban, of South Korea, said he learned of the conclusion of the investigation “with a heavy heart and serious concern”.

He voiced appreciation for the “restrained and patient efforts” of the South Korean government to investigate the sinking “in an objective and scientific manner”.

Both domestic and international experts were involved in the probe.

“The facts laid out in the report are deeply troubling,” he said, adding that he will continue to monitor closely the developments in the Korean peninsula.

During the 1950-53 Korean War, the United Nations sided with South Korea by setting up a UN force under US military command to repel North Korean troops supported by Chinese Communist troops. The war ended without a peace agreement in 1953.

The sinking of the South Korean war ship has already drawn up a diplomatic battle line between China, which has refused to criticise North Korea, and NATO and most Western capitals, including Washington, which have condemned the Pyongyang government.