S.Korea rejects North's offer for direct military talks

AFP via Space War ^ | AFP via Space War

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

South Korea Thursday rejected North Korea's proposal for direct military talks on the sinking of a warship, saying the issue should be handled under the armistice which ended their 1950-53 war. Tensions have been high since the South, citing findings of a multinational probe, accused the North of torpedoing a corvette with the loss of 46 sailors near the disputed sea border.

The South announced its own reprisals, including cutting off most trade, and is also asking the United Nations Security Council to censure the North.

The North, which has angrily denied any involvement in the sinking, has threatened a military response to any UN action.

"The (Seoul) government should focus on discussions at the Security Council," said foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young-Sun, in response to a new offer by Pyongyang to hold inter-Korean talks on the ship.

"It is more appropriate to hold general-level talks between the United Nations Command and North Korea's military and address the issue within the framework of the armistice agreement."

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

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