Korean Americans: Korea’s Cheonan Ship Sinking Incident-Questions
Thanks to Sung-hee Choi and her No Bases Stories of Korea blog for forwarding this video by Korean Americans that raises important questions about the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan. In an email she reminds us:
The issues of Cheonan ship and Jeju naval Base should not be separated. We can predict by using the excuse of Cheonan ship, the US-Japan- ROK would spur the strengthening of alliances. It is also used for June 2 nationwide local election in Korea.
And drive for Okinawa base relocation (as reported and forwarded by some) and construction of the Jeju naval base. We should not also forget that this is also for arms industry (as reported in Futenma case) . The Samsung, the one of the construction companies for the naval base and one of the Korea aerospace companies is behind the Jeju naval base plan.
Compilation of news and analysis about the sinking of the Cheonan
With apologies and thanks to Satoko Norimatsu and the Peace Philosophy Centre blog for reposting her compilation of news and analysis about the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Questions about Cheonan Sinking – What’s Available in English 天安艦沈没事件への疑問
Little has been reported in English on the growing suspicion about the outcome of the investigation of the sinking of South Korean warship Cheonan during the joint military exercise of South Korea and the U.S., and more people demand for more thorough and scientific re-investigation. We will try to list what is available.
******This one by Stephen Gowan, a Canadian writer and activist is a must-read, full of credible quotes by South Korean officials denying the North’s involvement and linking it to Japan-US military buildup in Okinawa and US arms sales to South Korean military.
“…a North Korean submarine is now said to have fired a torpedo which sank the Cheonan, but in the immediate aftermath of the sinking the South Korean navy detected no North Korean naval vessels, including submarines, in the area. Indeed, immediately following the incident defense minister Lee ruled out a North Korean torpedo attack, noting that a torpedo would have been spotted, and no torpedo had been spotted.”
To read the whole article,
The Sinking of Cheonan: Another Gulf of Tonkin Incident
http://gowans.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/the-sinking-of-the-cheonan-another-gulf-of-tonkin-incident/
******Here is a letter to Hillary Clinton from S. C. Shin, a maritime expert recommended by Korean National Assembly for investigation of the sinking of Cheonan, who disagreed to the conclusion of the Korean military administration and now has been sued for libel by them. Shin argues on Cheonan he could not see any sign of explosion or a torpedo. It was a grounding accident accompanied by a second collision accident. Shin summarizes his report as:
(1) The most important thing is there were two series of accidents not one.
(2) The 1st accident was ‘Grounding’ with the evidences above.
(3) The ‘Grounding on a sand’ made some damages and led flooding but itself didn’t make those serious situation torn down in two.
(4) The 2nd accident hit a count-blow to sink.
(5) I couldn’t find even a slight sign of ‘Explosion’.
(6) The 2nd accident was ‘Collision’ with my analysis above.
For details, see:
http://www.seoprise.com/~bu/dk/Letter_to_Hillary_Clinton_US_Secretary_of_State.pdf
******Here is U.S. author and activist Bruce Gagnon’s take on it.(bolded by PeacePhilosopher)
“Most activists in South Korea have been, and remain, suspicious about the official story surrounding the sinking of their Navy ship. At the time of the incident the U.S. and South Korea were having one of their annual provocative war games where they practice an invasion of North Korea. One has to remember that the U.S. has a modus operandi when it comes to using sunk boats to justify war – “Remember the Maine” that was the prelude to the Spanish-American War and the more contemporary Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that was the kick-off to the Vietnam War. Some are already speculating that the South Korean sinking was timed before their June 2 elections and/or timed to ensure that Japan’s new government reneges on its promise to close a U.S. military base in Okinawa. I’m sure there are other good theories on this as well.”
****** Japan’s international affairs analyst Tanaka Sakai suspects a U.S. vessel involved. Tanaka’s article has been translated and posted on Japan Focus:Asia-Pacific Journal.
Who Sank the South Korean Warship Cheonan? A New Stage in the US-Korean War and US-China Relations
****** Historian Bruce Cumings urges us to look at this incident in a larger context in Democracy Now!
Historian Bruce Cumings: US Stance on Korea Ignores Tensions Rooted in 65-Year-Old Conflict; North Korea Sinking Could Be Response to November ’09 South Korea Attack
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/5/27/nk
****** In CNN, University of Georgia Professor Han Park argues hardliner reactions are counterproductive calls for re-investigation and talks.
Tensions Between Koreas
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/05/24/intv.korea.torpedo.sanctions.cnn
****** Selig Harrison in Hankyoreh, Korea’s national daily newspaper.
What Seoul should do despite the Cheonan
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_opinion/420827.html
****** A Russian perspective on the issue. This article, in “38 North,” specializing in DPRK analysis (hosted by SAIS, Johns Hopkins University), presents a sensible list of questions to be answered before we reach any conclusion.
“…The Russian position thus far has been to “wait and see,” most likely intending to follow China’s lead. If this issue is brought before the UN Security Council, Russia will probably demand ironclad proof of North Korean culpability and will likely abstain at best if this proof is not provided. “
To read the whole article,
Peace or War? Do we have to choose? A Russian Perspective by Georgy Toloraya
http://38north.org/2010/05/peace-or-war-do-we-have-to-choose-a-russian-perspective/
******Here are Scott Creighton’s “5-point flaws” of the report of the “international investigation team.”
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/pcc-772-cheonan-an-unacceptable-provocation-by-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-international-community-has-a-duty-to-respond/
Peace Philosopher