Official: N. Korea involved in ship attack

SEOUL, May 19 (UPI) -- North Korea's involvement in the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship was "obvious," a South Korean official said Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said an investigation into the sinking in March of the 1,200-ton ship near the western maritime border with North Korea attributed the sinking to "a strong underwater explosion generated by the detonation of a torpedo," South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

"It's obvious" that North Korea was involved in the incident, Yu said.

Forty-six crew members died in the explosion. Officials in Seoul said they would respond strongly and would take the matter before the U.N. Security Council if North Korea were found responsible.

North Korea has denied any role.

South Korea will take "appropriate measures in a firm and prudent manner," Yu said during a speech before the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

Measures are "needed to deter any future provocations which will undermine peace and stability in Northeast Asia, thereby representing an opportunity to create more stable regional order," he said.