Lee vows firm measures in ship sinking

SEOUL, April 19 (UPI) -- South Korea's president said he'll "deal resolutely with the results" of an investigation into the sinking of a navy ship near the North Korean maritime border.

In a broadcast to the nation Monday, Lee Myung-bak sought to console people for the loss of the Cheonan, a 1,200-ton corvette that went down in the Yellow Sea March 26 after an explosion that split the vessel, Yonhap news agency reported.

Of the 104 sailors aboard, 58 were rescued and 46 were reported missing. Since then the bodies of 38 were recovered after the stern of the vessel was raised from the seabed.

"As the president, I will ascertain the cause of the Cheonan's sinking to the last detail," Lee said in his address. "I will deal resolutely with the results and make sure such an incident does not recur."

Investigators have said an external blast appeared to have caused the disaster, ruling out an internal explosion.

Thus far, Seoul has been careful not to blame North Korea for the sinking.

During the weekend, North Korea in its first official comment on the tragedy, denied any involvement but accused Seoul of spreading rumors to pressure Pyongyang, Yonhap reported.

In his address, Lee read aloud the name of each dead sailor and said, "If (the two Koreas) are reunited and genuine peace and prosperity comes to this land, the people will remember your sacrifice again."