Asia-Pacific
Obama calls ROK's Lee over ship sinking
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-18 13:53
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 The Republic of Korea's President Lee Myung-bak (top C) and other generals pay a silent tribute to the deceased sailors from the sunken naval corvette Cheonan and to other patriotic martyrs for the country before a meeting with top military commanders at the defence ministry headquarters in Seoul May 4, 2010. [Agencies] |
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama called the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s President Lee Myung-bak Monday to discuss the progress of the probe into the sinking of a Seoul warship in March.
During their telephone conversation, Lee provided an update on the status of the investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan in which 46 ROK sailors lost their lives.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of obtaining a full accounting of the event and committed to following the facts of the investigation wherever they lead.
Commissioned in 1989, the Cheonan, a Pohang-class corvette, was on a routine patrol mission before beginning to sink on the maritime border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on March 26. Only 58 of a total of 104 crew men were rescued.
The two presidents pledged their utmost efforts to ensure the ROK's security, and Obama reaffirmed the commitments of the United States.
Obama and Lee reiterated that the DPRK must live up to its commitment to eliminating its nuclear weapons program, comply with its international obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and put an end to "belligerent behavior" toward its neighbors.
Obama also confirmed that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit Seoul for consultations next week and that the defense and foreign ministers of the two countries would hold their first-ever "Two plus Two" meeting in July.
Obama and Lee agreed to remain in close touch, and to meet at the time of the G-20 meeting in Canada in June, according to the White House.
