Lee calls for China’s role over ship sinking

By Na Jeong-ju

Staff reporter

President Lee Myung-bak said Friday South Korea will fully share the results of the ongoing investigation into the sinking of the Navy vessel Cheonan with China as soon as it becomes available, to help it play an important role in resolving the case.

He also expressed concerns over the diplomatic feud between the two sides over the timing of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's trip to China, saying he believes the country allowed the visit at the request of North Korea.

Lee made the remarks during a breakfast meeting with senior lawmakers of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) at Cheong Wa Dae, according to GNP spokesman Rep. Cho Hae-jin.

Some Seoul officials earlier blamed the Chinese government for ``disgracing'' President Lee by allowing Kim's trip only three days after a summit between Lee and President Hu Jintao in Shanghai without seeking Seoul's understanding amid rampant speculation over the North's involvement in the ship sinking.

On Thursday, Jiang Yu, representative of the Chinese foreign ministry, expressed complaints over the reaction from Seoul, saying, ``It is an internal affair to decide on a visit by a foreign leader. It is related to China's sovereignty.''

President Lee said he understands China was in an awkward situation.

``As far as I know, the North Korean leader's trip was already planned, but China had to delay it because of my meeting with President Hu,'' Lee was quoted as saying by the GNP spokesman.

``The Chinese government was very grateful to me when I visited Shanghai to participate in the opening ceremony for the World Expo.''

The summit between Lee and Hu took place on April 30 hours before the opening ceremony. North Korean leader Kim arrived in China on a train three days later and held his summit with Hu on Wednesday.

``I will closely cooperate with China over the Cheonan incident. I believe the country will play a certain role in resolving the issue,'' Lee said.

The diplomatic spat drew keen attention here amid growing calls for China to take more responsibility to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Seoul is seeking to gain Beijing's backing for an international response to the ship sinking, which it believes was the result of a North Korean torpedo attack.

Pyongyang is expected to announce a return to the stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear program soon, but Seoul and Washington have made it clear that they would link the naval tragedy to the resumption of the talks.