[ProomoSam]

May 26, 2010
World must act on N.Korea



Mrs Clinton said the United States would be consulting with South Korea and members of the UN Security Council on what the appropriate action would be, but she declined to offer a timeline for action. -- PHOTO: AFP

SEOUL - US SECRETARY of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Wednesday the world must respond to the sinking of a South Korean warship that has been blamed on North Korea. 'This was an unacceptable provocation by North Korea and the international community has a responsibility and a duty to respond,' Mrs Clinton told reporters after talks with South Korean leaders. The ship sinking 'requires a strong but measured response,' she said, although she did not elaborate.

Mrs Clinton said the United States would be consulting with South Korea and members of the UN Security Council on what the appropriate action would be, but she declined to offer a timeline for action. 'We're very confident in the South Korean leadership, and their decision about how and when to move forward is one that we respect and will support,' she said. She spent just a few hours in Seoul discussing possible international responses with South Korean leaders.

North Korea denies it was responsible for the incident and has threatened to retaliate if action is taken against it. Mrs Clinton touched down in the South Korean capital on Wednesday after intense discussions on the deteriorating situation with Chinese officials in Beijing. 'I believe that the Chinese understand the seriousness of this issue and are willing to listen to the concerns expressed by both South Korea and the United States,' she said on Wednesday. Mrs Clinton called the investigation into the sinking, which killed 46 sailors, 'very thorough, highly professional' and 'very convincing.' -- AP