House approves resolution condemning NK for ship
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday to support South Korea and urge the international community to take appropriate measures against North Korea for the sinking of the warship Cheonan, Yonhap News reported in Washington.
The House approved, with 411 votes in favor and three against, the resolution submitted Thursday by Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and sponsored by several other congressmen, the agency said.
The resolution "supports the findings and conclusions of the investigation report released by the Government of the Republic of Korea on May 20, 2010," and "condemns North Korea in the strongest terms for sinking the ROK Ship Cheonan; calls for an apology by North Korea for its hostile acts and a commitment by North Korea never to violate the Korean War Armistice Agreement again."
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that his government will bring the sinking of the Cheonan to the Security Council, suspend inter-Korean economic ties and bolster national defense.
An international team of investigators last week officially blamed the sinking on a torpedo fired by a North Korean submarine, but North Korea has denied involvement and threatens all-out war if punished or sanctioned. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he supports Lee's plans for a U.N. reprimand.
The resolution "urges the international community to fully and faithfully implement all United Nations Security Council Resolutions pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula," and "further urges the United States, in coordination with its allies and partners, to take other appropriate actions in response to the sinking of the ROK's Cheonan and other hostile acts of North Korea."
It also "expresses its sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of the sailors of the ROK Ship Cheonan who were killed in action on March 26, 2010," and "stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident."