UNITED NATIONS/SINGAPORE, (Reuters) – South Korea took its dispute with North Korea to the U.N. Security Council yesterday, saying Pyongyang must admit to sinking its warship and that its “reprehensible” action was endangering peace.
A letter handed to the Security Council in New York by Seoul’s U.N. ambassador, Park In-kook, asked the 15-nation body to take action to deter “further provocation by North Korea.”
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, did not specify how Seoul wanted the council to respond to the sinking of the navy corvette Cheonan on March 26. Possible actions include sanctions or a resolution or statement condemning Pyongyang’s behavior.
“My government requests that the Security Council duly consider this matter and respond in a manner appropriate to the gravity of North Korea’s military provocation in order to deter recurrence of any further provocation by North Korea,” it said.
After handing the letter to Mexican Ambassador Claude Heller, current president of the council, Park told reporters only that, “We expect some action by the Security Council commensurate with the gravity of the situation.”
Heller said he would consult with council members on how to proceed. One Western diplomat said there could be a brief procedural meeting on the issue next week.
Several diplomats said council members were unlikely to have a draft text in hand on Korea before they vote on a draft sanctions resolution against Iran over its nuclear program. Washington has said that vote is expected next week.
The United States, the South’s biggest ally, said Seoul may not seek a full Security Council resolution because of rising tensions after the sinking of the Cheonan. Seoul said it would hold discussions with its allies to ensure action was taken.
“North Korea must admit its wrongdoing, it must pledge to never again engage in such reprehensible action,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said in Singapore. “This is in the interest of peace. This is in the interest of North Korea.”
“If we are to once again tolerate North Korea’s blatant act of violence, then I believe that will not promote but endanger the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and that of Northeast Asia,” Lee told a security conference.
Lee’s foreign policy adviser, Chung Min Lee, later told reporters that what action the Security Council should take “is something we have to work on in the days and weeks ahead.”
South Korea has blamed the North for torpedoing the Cheonan, killing 46 sailors. The North denies responsibility and has accused the South of staging the incident to help Lee in local elections this week.
