Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Austria and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the International Organizations in Vienna

OSCE Permanent Council

Hofburg, 27 May 2010

Agenda 4 : Current Issues( Sinking of ROK Ship "Cheonan")

Remarks by H.E. SHIM Yoon-joe

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

Mr. Chairman,

 I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the case of a naval ship sinking that took place in territorial waters near the South-North Korean border two months ago, which might have significant implications for the security situation around the Korean Peninsula. I first addressed this subject at the OSCE Asian Contact Group Meeting on May 7th where I explained the preliminary conclusions of what was then an ongoing investigation. Today, I would like to brief you on the final outcome of the official investigation into the incident, which was made public on May 20th, and outline my Government’s position on this matter.

 As you may recall, on March 26th, the 1,200 ton Korean Navy corvette Cheonan, during a routine patrol in territorial waters near the South-North border, was destroyed by an explosion thattook the lives of 46 sailors on board.

 In response, the Korean Government established a multi-national Joint Investigation Group (JIG) for a thorough and scientific investigation comprised of 50 Korean and 24 international experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia, which are participating States and Partners for Co-operation of the OSCE. Following approximately six weeks of investigation, the JIG announced on May 20th its conclusive findings, backed by definitive evidence, that the Cheonan was sunk by a North Korean torpedo attack. The investigation and validation process was transparent and inclusive, and the conclusions were evidence-based and scientifically valid. Since I do not wish to take up your time reiterating the Group’s conclusions, please refer to the relevant documentation that my delegation has distributed.

 I would like to note that, after the announcement, many countries and international organizations, including NATO, EU, and ASEAN made statements condemning North Korea while expressing their confidence in the credibility of the findings of the investigation. In this regard, I would like to thank those states—including participating States—that have condemned the North’s provocative acts and offered to cooperate with the Republic of Korea in resolving the security challenges thrown into stark relief by the Cheonan incident.

Mr. Chairman,

 North Korea’s provocation was a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and existing agreements reached forthe sake of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, including the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the Basic Agreement between South and North Korea.This past Monday, May 24th, President Lee Myung-bak delivered a speech to the nation emphasizing that "through the Cheonantragedy, we learned a painful lesson once again. We had been forgetting the reality that the nation faces the most belligerent regime in the world."

 President Lee also outlined a three-part package of measures Korea will take to hold the North accountable for its heinous act of aggression. The first set of measures concerns inter-Korean relations. North Korean ships will no longer be permitted to enter our territorial waters. Inter-Korean trade and exchanges will be suspended, while humanitarian assistance for infants and childrenwill continue. In addition, if there is any further intrusion into our territory, wewill immediately exercise theright of self-defense. The second set comprises international measures, including referringthis matter to the UN Security Council as a material violation ofthe Charter of the United Nations and a breach of peace. Lastly, President Lee has also directly urged North Korean authorities to apologize and punish those who are responsible for and were involved in the incident.

 In spite of the overwhelming evidence,North Korea flatly denied its involvement and reacted to the aforementioned measures by threatening military action. Now is the time for the international community to send a clear, united and strong message to North Korea that its military provocation will never be toleratedin order to secure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

In this context, I strongly anticipate that the OSCE, as the world’s largest security organization, will play a prominent role in the international efforts to achieve a stable security situation in the region—in particular those efforts to change the behavior of the North Korea.

Thank you for your attention.