Lee Calls for Unity Over Ship Sinking

By Na Jeong-ju

Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak called for nonpartisan efforts Tuesday to cope with the sinking of the Navy ship Cheonan last month, saying the tragedy provides a crucial opportunity to ensure national security and enhance the military's risk management.

He also warned against attempts to politicize the incident ahead of the June 2 local elections, reiterating his resolve to take stern counteraction once investigators uncover the truth behind the sinking.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with leaders of the ruling and opposition parties - Grand National Party (GNP) Chairman Chung Mong-joon, Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun and Liberty Forward Party Chairman Lee Hoi-chang - at Cheong Wa Dae.

The conservative leader proposed the meeting to call for national unity and close cooperation from political parties to relieve public anxiety amid rampant speculation over why the Cheonan sank, presidential spokesman Park Sun-kyoo said.

It's the first time that Lee has met with the leaders of the parties since April last year in the wake of North Korea's long-range missile test.

"President Lee stressed the (ship sinking) incident was a grave national security issue and that the country should wait for the result of the ongoing fact-finding activities patiently," the spokesman said.

"He also vowed to deal resolutely with the case once the investigation finishes, saying the military should learn lessons from the naval disaster to build a stronger defense posture and improve its risk management capabilities."

GNP Chairman Chung proposed Lee consider retaliatory military action against North Korea, in concert with the United States if the North is found to have been involved in the incident, sources from the party said.

"There was common understanding among the party leaders that the country must handle the naval disaster in a firm and stern manner, but they differed on how," a source said on condition of anonymity.

"Weighing on North Korea's possible involvement in the sinking, the GNP suggested measures against it in collaboration with the international community. On the other side, opposition parties raised the need to reform the military to better handle security risks and any contingencies, while staying calm until the case is fully examined."

A multinational investigation team, including experts from the United States, Australia and Sweden, is currently looking into what caused the Cheonan to sink near the western sea border with North Korea on March 26.

Following an initial investigation last week, the military said an external blast was the most likely cause of the disaster, raising the possibility of a North Korean attack.

Defense officials said it was too early to tell how long the investigation would take.

Late Tuesday, President Lee met with members of the National Unification Advisory Council to discuss the incident.

The council members expressed their condolences to the families of dead and missing sailors and urged political parties to pull together to cope with the case, Lee's aides said.

이 대통령, 천안함 사건에 여야 단합 요청

이명박 대통령은 20일 한나라당 정몽준 대표, 민주당 정세균 대표, 그리고 자유선진당 이회창 대표 등 여야 3당 대표와 함께 청와대 오찬 회동을 가졌다.

이날 이 대통령은 천안함 침몰 사고는 국가 안보태세 점검 및 국가 위기 대처 능력을 향상시킬 수 있는 기회라고 언급하면서 침몰 사고에 대한 초당적 협조를 요청했다.

또 이 대통령은 6월2일 실시되는 지방선거에서 이 사건을 정치화하지 말 것을 경고하면서 함미 조사에 대한 진실규명에 대한 그의 단호한 의지를 보였다.

이어 박선규 대변인은 이 대통령이 이날 회동에서 무성한 의혹과 관련된 국민 불안감을 잠 재우기 위해 정당 간의 국가적 화합과 협동을 요청했다고 전했다.