The U.S. officials say Cheonan sinking was not international terrorism
The sinking of a South Korean warship allegedly by North Korea was not an act of international terrorism and does not justify putting Pyongyang back on a U.S. blacklist, Reuters reports citing yesterday’s statement of the U.S. State Department.
A South Korea-led investigation concluded a North Korean torpedo sank the Cheonan corvette on March 26, killing 46 South Korean sailors. Pyongyang has denied responsibility.
The two countries technically remain at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
"It is our judgment that the sinking of the Cheonan is not an act of international terrorism and by itself would not trigger placing North Korea on the U.S. state (sponsors) of terrorism list," said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.
"It was, in our view, a provocative action but one taken by the military of a state against the military of another state," the spokesman told reporters. "That, in our view, does not constitute an act of international terrorism."
However, he said the United States continuously evaluates the matter and would not hesitate to put North Korea back on the list if it were found to have "repeatedly provided support for acts of terrorism."