U.S. - South Korea

The United States says the U.N. statement legitimizes the investigation that found North Korea was responsible for sinking the Cheonan.

U.N. Security Council Condemns Attack on South Korean Navy Vessel

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer
July 9, 2010

Washington — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the U.N. Security Council’s unanimous condemnation of the attack on the South Korean navy vessel Cheonan, saying it sends the message that attacks on the Republic of Korea “are unacceptable,” and that North Korea must uphold the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.

Clinton issued a statement July 9 after the Security Council voted to approve a Presidential Statement on the March 26 incident that killed 46 South Korean sailors.

The U.N. statement “sends a clear message that such irresponsible and provocative behavior is a threat to peace and security in the region and will not be tolerated,” Clinton said, and underscores that “a peaceful resolution of the issues on the Korean Peninsula will only be possible if North Korea fundamentally changes its behavior.”

The secretary said the United States has an “unwavering” commitment to South Korea’s security and sovereignty, and praised South Korea’s handling of the incident.  “We join the Security Council in again expressing our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this tragic attack,” she said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said July 9 that the U.N. statement sends a “crystal clear” message to North Korea.

“The Security Council condemns and deplores this attack; it warns against any further attacks; and insists on full adherence to the Korean Armistice Agreement,” Rice said.  The statement shows “strong international consensus condemning this attack and is the result of close cooperation among council members and with South Korea,” and it “underscores the Security Council’s strong commitment to maintain peace and security on the Korean Peninsula,” she said.

“Today you have seen the international community stand with South Korea in the face of this attack and determined to prevent any future threats to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula,” Rice said.

The text of the statement condemned the attack that led to the sinking of the Cheonan and deplored the loss of life, determining that “such an incident endangers peace and security in the region and beyond,” and underscoring “the importance of preventing further such attacks or hostilities against the [Republic of Korea] or in the region.”

It also called for all parties to fully adhere to the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement and encouraged a peaceful settlement to the conflict through the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiations.

An international joint civilian-military investigation that included experts from South Korea, Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States concluded in June that North Korea was responsible for the attack on the Cheonan.  North Korea, however, has denied culpability.

Investigation co-chairman Yoon Duk-yong presented evidence to the Security Council in June showing how the investigation had concluded that the Cheonan was "sunk by a torpedo which was made in North Korea and the launching was also done by a North Korean midget submarine."

The U.N. statement said that “[i]n view of the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group led by the [Republic of Korea] with the participation of five nations, which concluded that [North Korea] was responsible for sinking the Cheonan, the Security Council expresses its deep concern,” while also noting North Korea’s denial of responsibility.

The State Department’s acting spokesman, Mark Toner, told reporters July 9 that the U.N. statement “accomplishes our goals,” and said the United States is pleased that the Security Council “spoke with one voice” on the incident.

“It provides a unanimous condemnation of the attack.  It legitimizes the findings of the joint civilian-military investigation group and their finding of North Korean responsibility.  It also praises the Republic of Korea for their restraint in handling the incident,” Toner said.

The United States would like North Korea “to acknowledge and to accept the responsibility for its actions,” Toner said.