Mysterious Sinking of Naval Vessel Has South Korean Military on Alert

The South Korean military suspended its search for 46 missing sailors due to high winds and stormy seas. Searchers found 58 crewmembers and the intense search led to the death of one diver and the hospitalization of two other divers.

Korean officials have acknowledged an explosion tore a hole in the rear of the ship, but what cause the blast is not yet known. Divers have knocked on the hulls of different parts of the ship with hammers, but raised no response.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, the country’s defense minister, Kim Tae-young has suggested a mine placed during the Korean War could have caused the blast.

The navy plans to salvage the vessel, which was carrying missiles and torpedoes. A report has indicated that the 1,200-ton corvette had been tracking North Korean miniature submarines.

The 655,000-strong military and South Korean police force has been ordered to remain on heightened readiness. Boarder disputes between the North and South have witnessed deadly naval clashes in 1999 and 2002 and a firefight last November.