South Korean navy ship sinking, North suspected: report

A South Korean naval ship was sinking on Friday night with more than 100 people on board, but officials played down earlier suggestions that it may have been the result of an attack by North Korea. "It is not clear whether North Korea was involved," Presidential Blue House spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye told Reuters. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also said it could not conclude that the reclusive North was behind the attack. Earlier, South Korean media had quoted officials as saying the North could have torpedoed the ship near the disputed western sea border that separates the two Koreas. The sinking comes as the impoverished North has become increasingly frustrated by its wealthy neighbor, which has given the cold-shoulder to recent attempts to reopen a lucrative tourist business on the northern side of the Cold War's last frontier. ABC News: SKorean Navy Ship Sinks in Waters Near NKorea. Financial Times: Security meeting called over South Korean ship. Vancouver Sun: S.Korean naval ship sinking with 100 on board, North Korean torpedo attack suspected. Daily Mail: North Korea 'torpedoes and sinks' South Korean navy ship with 104 sailors on board.