The South Korean government has officially accused North Korea of sinking the naval vessel Cheonan back in March.  With support from the US, which has vowed to support South Korea “strongly and unequivocally”, South Korea also will receive official endorsements from Australia, Canada, Britain and Sweden.

North Korea has responded with verbal bellicosity.  North Korean navy Col. Pak In-Ho told broadcaster APTN in Pyongyang, “If the (South Korean) enemies try to deal any retaliation or punishment, or if they try sanctions or a strike on us …. we will answer to this with all-out war.”