North Korean hand in sinking of ship, alleges S Korea

The South Korean ship ROKS 'Cheonan' was sunk due to an underwater explosion caused by a North Korean torpedo, said a statement issued by the Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Korea.

A Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group (JIG) comprising Korean and foreign experts had arrived at this conclusion after scientifically and objectively investigating and analysing all available data, the statement added.

Evidence was obtained on the basis of damages caused to the ship, statements of survivors, medical examination of the deceased and seismic and infrasound wave analysis, it further explained.

Experts from the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Sweden participated in the investigations together with Korean experts, the statement said.