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UN condemns Korea warship sinking UN condemns Korea warship sinking
(about 1 hour later)
Tensions remain high over the sinking of the Cheonan in MarchTensions remain high over the sinking of the Cheonan in March
The UN Security Council has unanimously condemned the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, but in a concession to China it has not blamed North Korea.The UN Security Council has unanimously condemned the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, but in a concession to China it has not blamed North Korea.
A statement expressed "deep concern" over the finding by a South Korean-led inquiry that North Korea was behind it. A statement expressed "deep concern" over the finding by a South Korean-led inquiry that a North Korean torpedo had struck the Cheonan, killing 46 sailors.
But the Security Council also "took note" of Pyongyang's insistence "it had nothing to do with the incident".But the Security Council also "took note" of Pyongyang's insistence "it had nothing to do with the incident".
Seoul's investigators concluded a North Korean torpedo had struck the Cheonan in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 sailors. North Korea's UN ambassador said the text was a "great diplomatic victory".
The Security Council statement, read out by Nigeria's permanent representative at the UN, said the attack had endangered "peace and security in the region and beyond". "From the beginning of the incident we have made our position very clear that this incident has nothing to do with us," Sin Son-ho said.
It also praised South Korea's government for the "restraint" it had shown since the incident and called for "appropriate and peaceful measures to be taken against those responsible". Mr Sin had warned before the meeting in New York that his country's military would respond forcefully to any criticism.
Pyongyang defiance Naval exercise
Correspondents say the text appeared to fall short of what had been demanded by Seoul and the US, which drafted the statement. The Security Council statement, read out by Nigeria's permanent representative, said the "attack" in the Yellow Sea on 26 March had endangered "peace and security in the region and beyond".
"In 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 the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was responsible for sinking the Cheonan, the Security Council expresses its deep concern," it said.
The statement also praised South Korea's government for the "restraint" it had shown since the incident and called for "appropriate and peaceful measures to be taken against those responsible".
A spokesman for South Korea's foreign ministry said the Security Council statement carried "significant meaning in that the international community condemned North Korea's attack on the Cheonan with a united voice and emphasised the importance of preventing additional provocations".
"The government strongly urges North Korea not to engage in any provocations or acts that hurt peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by seriously taking the international community's strong stance that no provocations against South Korea will be tolerated," Kim Young-sun added.
Correspondents say the text fell short of what had been demanded by South Korea and the US, which drafted the statement.
Last month, US President Barack Obama said the Security Council had to ensure there was a "crystal clear acknowledgement that North Korea engaged in belligerent behaviour that is unacceptable to the international community".Last month, US President Barack Obama said the Security Council had to ensure there was a "crystal clear acknowledgement that North Korea engaged in belligerent behaviour that is unacceptable to the international community".
Western diplomats said Beijing had blocked attempts to condemn North Korea, at least partly to avoid any action from its unpredictable ally that could escalate tensions in the region.Western diplomats said Beijing had blocked attempts to condemn North Korea, at least partly to avoid any action from its unpredictable ally that could escalate tensions in the region.
North Korea's permanent representative to the UN had said his country's military would respond forcefully to any criticism. On Friday, South Korea announced it would stage a naval exercise with the US in the Yellow Sea to deter North Korean "provocation"
On Friday, South Korea announced it would stage a naval exercise with the US in the Yellow Sea to deter North Korean "provocation".