**The South Korean President has bemoaned the “precious deaths” of 46 South Korean sailors, who died when a warship mysteriously sank last month.**Lee Myung-bak was one of many mourners to pay last respects to the sailors at altars set up across the country.
Officials say the sinking of the Cheonan was due to a “close-range” blast which split the ship in two.
Local analysts say this could have been caused by a torpedo or a mine exploding below the 1,200-tonne corvette.
Fifty-eight sailors were rescued after the explosion on 26 March.
The ship’s sinking has fuelled tensions with North Korea, who many South Koreans believe was responsible for the sinking.
The government in Seoul has so far taken care not to directly accuse Pyongyang, who denies any responsibility.
However, South Korea is now reportedly investigating whether a demoted North Korean general has won back his former ranks as a reward for the sinking the vessel.
‘Bubble jet’
President Lee visited one of the altars on Monday, a day after South Korea began five days of national mourning for the victims.
“The Republic of Korea will never forget you precious deaths,” Mr Lee wrote in a condolence book at the shrine, according to reports by South Korean media.
After examining the bow of the ship, salvaged last Saturday, officials said the warship was damaged by a “bubble jet” caused by an external underwater blast.
“Instead of being directly hit by a torpedo or other underwater weapon, the Cheonan was affected by a strong explosion that occurred below its bottom at a close range,” an official quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said.
South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-young said that although the bubble jet effect is the most likely explanation “the possibility of other causes is still under investigation”.
The minister said it would take about a month for the investigation team to come up with the final results of its inquiry.
An earlier investigation has already concluded that the explosion which sank the ship was external, fuelling suspicions North Korea may have been involved.
South Korea has avoided blaming the North outright.
But tensions have mounted over the incident, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul of “deliberately linking” it to the sinking.
Mr Lee Myung-bak has vowed to respond “resolutely” to the sinking and bolster the military, though he has not accused North Korea.
The two countries are still technically at war since the 1950-53 war ended without a peace treaty. There have been three previous naval clashes in the same area as the Cheonan went down, off the west coast of the peninsula.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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