By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
The military has collected some pieces of aluminum from the site where the Navy ship Cheonan sank March 26, that are believed not to be from the wreckage of the sunken vessel, Minister of Defense Kim Tae-young said Friday.
"We found the aluminum was a little different from the type we use," Kim said at a National Assembly committee session.
He added that "they are metal fragments... something special. We think that they are different from the material the ship was made of."
He said some of the fragments measured 3 millimeters in length, while others were 4 to 5 centimeters.
Investigators have pointed to a North Korean torpedo attack as the likely cause of the sinking of the 1,200-ton Cheonan near the disputed western sea border with North Korea. Aluminum is a key element used in making torpedoes, according to an expert.
The Ministry of National Defense, meanwhile, tried to downplay the remarks made by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Sung-chan Thursday that "we vow to take revenge on whoever attacked the frigate."
In his eulogy at the funeral for the 46 fallen sailors, Kim said, "I promise you, we will get to the bottom of the tragedy and bring those responsible to justice without fail."
Kim's remarks fueled speculation on how the military will respond to the sinking.
Media outlets interpreted that Kim was referring to North Korea as being behind the incident and that South Korea would retaliate immediately.
Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said in response that the media's interpretation was blown out of proportion.
"The admiral's comments were to reassure families of victims and citizens that the military will prevent similar incidents from recurring. It would be too extreme if his comments were interpreted as if the military would react with force," Won said.
The disaster claimed the lives of 46 seamen - 58 survived the tragedy.
The administration has been consistent in refusing to confirm anything, except for saying a thorough investigation will be carried out.
However, many see the government as simply buying time and weighing its options on how to deal with the North, contemplating how to respond effectively in order to assuage the public's anger and at the same time not escalate inter-Korean conflicts.
1 | Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs |
![[INTERVIEW] Partnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/892c5f8b83fc45018380807ff3c3d42b.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
