N. Korea Proposes Joint Probe with US Into Ship Sinking

North Korea today proposed a joint probe with the US into the March sinking of the Cheonan, a South Korean warship.

A multinational investigation blamed North Korea for the attack after finding remains of a North Korean designed torpedo. The probe also found that a N. Korean sub was in the area at the time of the attack, which took place near a long disputed maritime border.

There were 104 sailors onboard at the time of the attack, 46 of them were killed. North Korea has continuously denied any involvement in the attack, and demanded their own investigators be allowed to examine the evidence, South Korea has denied their requests.

During military talks with the U.S. led U.N. Command in the Demilitarized Zone, North Korea proposed the US do a joint investigation with them into the sinking of the South Korean corvette.

The North also wants to meet with the South next week to discuss the maritime border.

Pyongyang’s peace talks with the U.N. were put on hold after the initial probe in May pointed to North Korea as the attacker in the Cheonan sinking. However with recent floods, a failed currency reform and the suspension of aid from the South and others, the North is desperate for assistance and eager to restart the talks.