S. Korea to Haul N. Korea to UN Over Ship's Sinking

South Korea will take Pyongyang to the UN Security Council as part of its response to the sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack, officials said today. An international team said last week that a North Korean submarine fired a torpedo on March 26, tearing apart the 1,200-ton Cheonan and killing 46 sailors on board. North Korea called the investigation results a fabrication and warned any retaliation would trigger war.

Tomorrow, President Lee Myung-bak is to address the nation to define the tragedy as a "clear armed provocation" and disclose his resolve to take "stern" action. In general, punitive measures might include economic sanctions and adopting a statement condemning its acts. Lee will also announce that South Korea will take all available "strong countermeasures" if North Korea engages in additional provocations, an adviser said. A major North newspaper today threatened to "crush" South Korea, calling its Cheonan report an "enormous fabrication."
(More North Korea stories.)