[Tryphadz]

May 27, 2010
Russia sends experts to South

MOSCOW - RUSSIA will send a team of experts to South Korea to study the results of an international probe into the sinking of one of Seoul's warships, allegedly by North Korea, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. The weeks-long multinational probe into the sinking of a South Korean corvette on March 26 found overwhelming evidence that a North Korean submarine torpedoed the boat, leaving 46 sailors dead.

The North says the South faked evidence of its involvement and has threatened 'all-out war' in response to any punitive moves. 'The Russian president, based on a proposal from the leaders of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), has decided to send to that country a group of highly qualified Russian specialists to study in detail the results of the investigation and the evidence gathered,' the Kremlin said.

President Dmitry Medvedev 'considers it extremely important to establish the precise reason for the loss of the ship and to reveal accurately who is personally responsible for the events,' it said in a statement. Once responsibility was established, 'the measures judged necessary and adequate by the international community must be taken,' it said. Mr Medvedev also reiterated a call for restraint on all sides to prevent a rise in tensions 'and to maintain peace, security and stability on the Korean peninsula and the whole region,' the statement said. -- AFP