[Politics That Day] The Cheonan Ship Sunk After Explosion in 20-30m Deep Baengnyeongdo Sea

Cheong, Emergency Security Ministers Meeting... "Best Efforts for Rescue"
Political Sphere Election Schedule Suspended, Focus on Cheonan Ship Incident Response
North Korean Torpedo Propulsion Unit Revealed on May 20, 2010

Editor's Note‘Politics on That Day’ is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures that deserve attention.

On the night of March 26, 2010, during the Lee Myung-bak administration, a shocking incident occurred nationwide. It was a day that turned the steps of those planning spring outings before the weekend. The true nature of the incident was conveyed through various media outlets.

The naval patrol ship Cheonan, belonging to the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command, exploded and sank near Baengnyeongdo off the west coast. It was even more shocking as it was the first time in naval history that a large combat ship of patrol ship class or higher sank due to an explosion.

“Above all, do your best to rescue our military personnel.”

On the morning of March 26, attendees are observing the Cheonan ship at the '13th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for the 46 Heroes of the Cheonan' held at the Navy 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Then-President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency security ministers' meeting in the Blue House underground bunker, received a report on the incident, and ordered a rescue operation. While analyzing the cause and response was important, the immediate priority was the lives of the soldiers.

The 1,200-ton patrol ship had 104 soldiers on board. 58 were rescued, but 46 were dead or missing.

The incident occurred on a pitch-dark night. The military authorities quickly launched rescue operations, but weather conditions and the surrounding environment posed difficulties.

The accident area was known to be shallow waters with a depth of 20 to 30 meters. This led to the diagnosis that if North Korea was responsible, the torpedo would have been launched from a small submarine. The military focused on the possibility of a torpedo attack from a submarine or an explosion caused by a mine. However, other possibilities were also raised by some.

The Blue House responded cautiously. Various scenarios were being investigated from multiple angles. At the time, President Lee Myung-bak instructed, “Conduct a thorough investigation and disclose everything without any suspicion as soon as the findings come out.”

Former President Lee Myung-bak visited the Cheonan Ship 46 Heroes Cemetery at the National Daejeon National Cemetery on the morning of March 22, paying respects and looking around the tombstones.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The political sphere was swept up in the storm of the Cheonan incident. At that time, Grand National Party leader Chung Mong-joon cut short his official visit to China and returned to preside over a party meeting. It was a time just before local elections, but the ruling and opposition parties were not in a position to prepare for elections.

Then Democratic Party leader Chung Sye-kyun postponed the announcement of the local election promotional strategy and convened an emergency supreme council meeting.

Amid various analyses and suspicions about the cause of the Cheonan incident, the turning point came on May 20, 2010, with the announcement of the ‘Cheonan Sinking Incident Investigation Results’ by the civilian-military joint investigation team. The cause was announced based on the analysis of the rear propulsion part of the North Korean torpedo recovered from the seabed and secret data secured by the military authorities.

“We have reached the conclusion that the Cheonan sank as a result of an external underwater explosion caused by a North Korean torpedo.”

This conclusion was reached in the presence of representatives from investigation teams of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, and other countries.

At the time, the ruling and opposition parties showed different reactions. Grand National Party leader Chung Mong-joon stated, “This is a provocation against the people of the Republic of Korea. Those responsible for this unforgivable anti-national criminal act must be made to pay the price.”

On the other hand, Democratic Party leader Chung Sye-kyun argued, “President Lee Myung-bak should apologize to the nation for being attacked while unprepared, the cabinet should resign en masse, and military officials responsible should be referred to a military court.”

The differing reactions of the ruling and opposition parties were related to the 5th nationwide simultaneous local elections scheduled two weeks later.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is paying respects at the Cheonan Ship 46 Warriors' Cemetery before the 8th West Sea Defense Day Commemoration Ceremony held on March 24 at the National Daejeon National Cemetery in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

There may be differing opinions about the Cheonan incident, but there is one fact no one can deny.

That 46 of our soldiers who were at sea near Baengnyeongdo that day did not return alive. They were citizens of the Republic of Korea who tragically lost their lives while fulfilling their role of protecting the country. Since that day, March 26, 2010, successive presidents have unanimously pledged not to forget them.

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is no different. At the 8th West Sea Defense Day ceremony on March 24, President Yoon Suk-yeol called out the names of the ‘55 West Sea defense warriors,’ including the victims of the Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island incidents, saying:

“The warriors who fulfilled their mission and duty to protect the West Sea. The Republic of Korea will remember these 55 warriors forever.”