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ROKS Cheonan sinking

ROKS Cheonan sinking
Part of the Korean conflict

Four photos show damage to ROKS Cheonan — clockwise from upper left: (1) a damaged stack; (2) front portion (port side) showing the break point; (3) a large fragment is lifted from the sea; (4) water pressure marks on the hull bottom.
Date26 March 2010
Location
Result

Sinking of ROKS Cheonan by North Korean mini-submarine (alleged by South Korea)

  • South Korean-led investigation concluded that Cheonan was sunk by North Korean mini-submarine
  • North Korea denies involvement
Belligerents

 South Korea

 North Korea (presumed)

Commanders and leaders
Choi Won-il Unknown
Strength
1 Pohang-class corvette 1 Yono-class submarine
Casualties and losses
46 killed
58 wounded
ROKS Cheonan sunk
None
ROKS Cheonan sinking
Date26 March 2010
Time21:22 Korea Standard Time
Participants Republic of Korea Navy (ROK)
Korean People's Navy (DPRK)
Property damage1 ROKN corvette sunk, 46 personnel killed, 58 personnel wounded
InquiriesInternational investigation convened by ROK government, Russian Navy investigation
ChargesROK-convened (JIG) investigation concludes that DPRK sank the corvette using a midget submarine-launched torpedo.
Investigation results are disputed.
North Korea denies involvement.
ROKS Cheonan sinking
Hangul
천안함 피격 사건
Hanja
天安艦被擊事件
Revised RomanizationCheonanham pigyeok sageon
McCune–ReischauerCh'ŏnanham p'igyŏk sakŏn

The ROKS Cheonan sinking occurred on 26 March 2010, when Cheonan, a Pohang-class corvette of the Republic of Korea Navy, carrying 104 personnel, sank off the country's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 seamen. The cause of the sinking remains in dispute.

A South Korean-led official investigation carried out by a team of international experts from South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Sweden[1][2] presented a summary of its investigation on 20 May 2010, concluding that the warship had been sunk by a North Korean torpedo[3][4] fired by a midget submarine.[5] The conclusions of the report resulted in significant controversy within South Korea. Following the sinking, South Korea imposed sanctions against North Korea, known as the May 24 measures.

North Korea denied that it was responsible for the sinking.[6] North Korea's further offer to aid an open investigation was disregarded.[7] China dismissed the official scenario presented by South Korea and the United States as lacking in credibility.[8] The results of an investigation by the Russian Navy were not made public. The United Nations Security Council made a Presidential Statement condemning the attack but without identifying the attacker.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference UN-S/2010/281 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ROKMOD-report-592 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Results Confirm North Korea Sank Cheonan". Daily NK. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  4. ^ Barrowclough, Anne (20 May 2010). "'All out war' threatened over North Korea attack on warship Cheonan". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference yono was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Press Conference on Situation in Korean Peninsula: DPRK Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sin Son Ho". Department of Public Information. United Nations. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  7. ^ Watson, Paul (19 July 2012). "South Korea good, North Korea bad? Not a very useful outlook". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference new american media was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Presidential Statement: Attack on Republic of Korea Naval Ship 'Cheonan'". United Nations Security Council. United Nations. 9 July 2010. S/PRST/2010/13. Retrieved 11 July 2010.

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