Are we being told the truth about the Cheonan?

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According to Scott Creighton, we are being lied to and, unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to be alone.   Looking at the postings of our fellow bloggers in Korea there seems to be some uncertainty of whether or not we are getting the full story - and usually the insinuations are directed at the Korean government.  However, Scott Creighton at Willyloman.wordpress.com  implies that it is the American government that is deceiving us – the American citizens:

"It is clear that we are being lied to and manipulated into believing that North Korea is behind the sinking of the South Korean vessel, the Cheonan.  It is impossible to draw conclusions at this time as to who is responsible but we can conclude based on the evidence, that the official story is yet another lie being pawned off on the American people. This lie is obvious and could be used to instigate military action against the people of North Korea."

Creighton raises a number of questions and implies that the torpedo is/was of German origin.  One of his readers, Yoon, who identifies himself as a South Korean wrote:

"I’m from South Korea and I could say that the “number one” written on the torpedo is not actually a Korean which is used commonly in South Korea as well.
It is a Korean which is ALWAYS used in South Korea to mean Number 1! ’1번’ means number 1!! Me and 40 something million other South Koreans use that character All the time. That is a damning evidence to absolutely nothing.
And if it were North Korean How the hell did a lousy two-lettered word seemingly written in magic marker survive the major heat and pressure released in the explosion? North Koreans must have really wanted the world to find out it was them who shot the torpedo? They must be suicidal. Of course that makes perfect sense doesn’t it?
Koreans have a very strong feeling toward North Korean citizens, because Korea existed as a unified nation for thousands of years before being seperated. Thousands of families were torn apart and they are still seeking reunion of their family. That’s why South Koreans think North Korea is somehow linked with us, like a very distant cousin.
Bringing an unnecessary war atmosphere here is the last thing any of us need."

Don Kirk touched briefly on the Korean writing in his article in Asia Times and Creighton makes a reference to it.


K4E: The above comments are from a posting on The Marmot's Hole blog on May 28, 2010. For more on the discussion, visit The Marmot's Hole blog.
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9 comments | Add your comment

KoreanD, 2010-06-04 18:59:01

How does the lettering survive? Well, probably in the same way that suicide bombers flip flops survive intact?! If its a conspiracy it wont last - people can't keep secrets!! And really do you think the south would risk their economic future with a war? I can't see America bailing them out just for the craic!

Jo, 2010-06-07 12:03:08

"Do you think the south would risk their economic future with a war?"

May be Lee Myung Bak is crazy enough to think that in case of war, the south will easily win... And if South Korean wins, which companies will be in charge of developing North Korea ? Who's gonna get all reconstruction contracts in case of damages ?

JM, 2010-06-08 11:34:02

That's yet another great thing about a free society, journilists are free to speculate their opinion, regardless of it's merit.Personally I feel Scott Creighton is perpetuating his opinions to draw attention to him and well, I guess he can do that. But the fact of the matter is, he has no solid proof that America had anything to do with the sinking, other than his speculation, cuz guess what, if he did, he would have broken the story wide open and printed his proof.

We all will never get the full story and if you think or though we would, then I have some swamp land in south florida I would like to sell you. The full story, please get real and wake up and smell the politics

Kat, 2010-06-08 14:04:40

The North had the motive, means, and opportunity. To simply believe in a "conspiracy" because it sounds "cool" to do so is foolish.

John, 2010-06-11 08:29:49

I just don't understand why THIS is the first real article on the whole situation that I've read on this site.
Please keep us better informed. As a foreigner it is hard enough to get any information without having to look around for it. There are other articles out there on the English/Korean newspaper sites.

Hh, 2010-06-12 09:22:02

How North Korea is

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/asia/10koreans.html

Confused, 2010-06-14 08:42:55

Well, on Friday, 11th June, the English radio station in Korea, TBS, said that less than half of Koreans under the age of 30 believed that North Korea sunk the Cheonan.

And Today, Monday, 14th June, the same radio station said that Korea's head of the Joint chief of staff falsified reports because he was drunk and not at his post when the incident occured. And that the Seokcho, another ship had reported firing on a suspected North Korean sub, but when the official report was submited it was too falsified and stated that they had fired on a flock of birds.

Did they fire on their own ship? Did they fire on North Korea first, who then inturn defended itself. What happened?

Korea4Expats, 2010-06-18 12:11:28

In response to an earlier comment, Korea4Expats is not a news site and while we might want to be very current in information, we do not have the resources to post articles on all current issues. Our purpose is to provide general information on living/working in Korea.
Korea4Expats is neither affiliated with nor subsidised by the government agencies or large business. We list blogs - see below- where you will get current information and the opportunity to participate in on-line discussions on a variety of topics.

John, 2010-06-22 14:12:13

Then why post an article that points to government conspiracy and not give the other side of the story?
Why not make a post that provides a number of links to a few of the latest articles rather than just one. That is 'general information' that would be helpful too.

Im not agreeing or disagreeing with this article, I just wonder why you seem to be advertising someones opinon/research without any balance, and then say you provide 'general information' for living here.

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