Yoon Seok-yeol: "Cheonanham Sinking Clearly Caused by North Korea... One of the Reasons I Entered Politics"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is meeting with Choi Won-il, former captain of the Cheonan ship, and Lee Sung-woo, chairman of the bereaved families association and father of the late Corporal Lee Sang-hee, at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, met with the victims of the Cheonan ship incident on the 17th and stated, "It is clear that the Cheonan ship was sunk by North Korean torpedo attack," adding, "This is one of the reasons why the Cheonan incident became politicized."

On the same day, Yoon met for about 40 minutes at the Yeouido party headquarters with former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il and Lee Seong-woo, chairman of the bereaved families association and father of the late Sergeant Lee Sang-hee, who died during the sinking of the Cheonan ship. After the meeting, he told reporters, "National dignity is largely influenced by how people remember and commemorate certain individuals," making the remarks.

He added, "Regarding the Cheonan issue, although the president has not officially expressed a position, according to these individuals, unofficially and privately, the president has shown the stance that the Cheonan incident was the work of North Korea."

When asked if this claim was to gain the support of men in their 20s, Yoon responded, "I have no intention of politicizing this issue," explaining, "Young people who served in the military and sacrificed themselves to protect national security deserve appropriate treatment from the state."