Background ROKS Cheonan sinking

the location of sinking.

baengnyeong island south korean island in yellow sea, off ongjin peninsula in north korea. lies less 10 miles (16 km) north korean coast, , on 100 miles (160 km) south korean mainland. island south , west of northern limit line, de facto maritime boundary dividing south korea (rok) north korea (dprk).

the disputed maritime border between north , south korea in west sea:

     a: united nations-created northern limit line, 1953

     b: north korea-declared inter-korean mdl , 1999 locations of specific islands reflected in configuration of each maritime boundary, including

1–yeonpyeong island
2–baengnyeong island
3–daecheong island

the area site of considerable tension between 2 states; although provided in armistice agreement stalemate of korean war islands belonged south, sea boundary not covered armistice, , sea claimed north.

the situation further complicated presence of rich fishing ground used dprk , chinese fishing vessels, , there have been numerous clashes on years between naval vessels both sides attempting police both sides regard territorial waters. these have been referred crab wars .

history of ship sinkings on both sides

in late may 2010, bruce cumings, distinguished service professor in history @ university of chicago , expert on korean affairs, commented sinking should regarded part of two-sided tense situation in no-man s land has led previous incidents. noted confrontation in november 2009, in several north korean sailors died, , additional incident in 1999, when 30 north koreans killed , 70 wounded when ship sank.

in both incidents, north koreans first open fire. in 1999 incident south koreans escalated matters initiating campaign of boat bumping in order stop south saw violation of maritime borders. considering these previous incidents, cumings said cheonan sinking ripped out of context, context of continuing war has never ended.

military concerns

general walter sharp, commander of south korea-u.s. combined forces command @ time had, on 24 march, testified before house appropriations committee, in part, on need strengthen rok-u.s. alliance, need on-site advanced training of air force, need improve quality of life , provide tour normalization troops serving one-year tours, planned relocation of bases, , scheduled 2012 transition of operational control (opcon) rok hands. warned of possibility north korea launch attack on rok.