By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The top U.S. commander in South Korea expressed his deep condolences Sunday over the loss of South Korean sailors after a patrol ship sank in the West Sea due to an unknown explosion.
"On behalf of all USFK service members, we are saddened at the tragic loss of the Republic of Korea Navy vessel Cheonan on Friday and we offer our respect and prayers to the families of the missing," U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Walter Sharp said in a statement.
"The tragedy reminds us of the dangers faced by all who risk their lives to defend freedom," said Sharp, who concurrently serves as chief of the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and United Nations Command (UNC). "We are working with the Ministry of National Defense to determine what assistance they may require."
The American general said his command has detected "no special movements" by North Korean forces but will continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared for any contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
Sharp, as the CFC commander, has the authority to command and control both American and South Korean forces should war break out.