South Korea Confirms That A Direct Heavy Torpedo Sank The Cheonan, Won't Accuse North Korea

The Business Insider ^ | 5-1-2010 | Gus Lubin

[blam]

South Korea Confirms That A Direct Heavy Torpedo Sank The Cheonan, But Still Won't Accuse North Korea

Gus Lubin
May. 1, 2010, 8:57 AM

South Korea's own CSI team has figured out the exact cause of the Cheonan shipwreck, except for one key detail.

Here's what they know so far, according to Chosun Ilbo:

A team of scientists believes that the Navy corvette Cheonan sank after being hit by a heavy 206 kg torpedo that ran at a speed of 65 km/h.... exploded underwater 2.3 m from the ship with power equivalent to 206 kg of TNT... a series of internal explosions occurred in the stern for about 80 seconds... the ship was probably hit by a Chinese-made 206 kg-class Yu-3 heavy torpedo.

What they don't know can't prove is that North Korea fired the torpedo.

Let's consider who could have fired the torpedo. China could be blowing up foreign ships to prove its dominance in the region. A Soviet submarine that never came home could be on the rampage. Al Qaeda might have their own submarine. Or it could be the militaristic rogue state next door that has a long history of nearly provoking war.

The only real question is whether this was a stupid, irrational move by Kim Jong-il or part of a larger plan to force economic concessions.

Your move, Myung-bak Lee.

Here's what's at risk: What You Need To Know About The South Korea Economy -->

[snip]

[TigerLikesRooster]

SK-US exercise was conducted near Taean, more than 150 miles to the south of the site of sinking. Live fire training was over by Mar. 24 before the incident occurred(Mar. 26.)

The sinking occurred right at the location where there were previous firefights between SK and NK navies. You don't do live-fire exercises there, unless you are N. Koreans.

[dtrpscout]

I HEARD THAT THE SK SHIP WAS SMUGGLING JARS OF KIMCHI, AND SOMETHING WENT HORRIBLY WONG!

[Jack Hammer]

Might’ve been those pesky Amish again...

[dtrpscout]

Yes, or the Saracens...there was a stealth flying carpet alert shortly before the explosion.

[Charles Martel]

SPECTRE?

Would you believe...

[Oratam]

I hope I wasn't out of line with that crack about "stupid and irrational."

[Senormechanico]

I ran across this in an international cruising forum.
I had to take a break and read it in a couple of pieces because it was overwhelming!

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/politics-religion-war-government/64341-oil-spill-far-darker-side.html

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

especially if the twerps might just have a nuke.

If they do it is probably an enriched uranium, gun type design weighing in around 10,000 pounds and over eight feet long. The delivery vehicle would of necessity be a 6x6 truck, the only vehicle in their position capable of carrying a pre-production lab-toy nuke.

Regards,
GtG

[El Gato]

While the world sits on its as@ there is no doubt that North Korea must be destroyed. King Obama is a fool not to announce full support to South Korea and those responsible will be punished.

He won't do squat, and the next ship, or the one after that will be flying the stars and stripes.

Obummer will apologize for hitting their torpedo with our ship.

[El Gato]

The delivery vehicle would of necessity be a 6x6 truck, the only vehicle in their position capable of carrying a pre-production lab-toy nuke.

Or one of those subs, a tramp freighter (with false colors?) or any number of other methods. However since they've probably had Pak help with the design, it might be a tad smaller than that.