Ralston Valley [e]Xpress Newspaper

International tensions mount, as North Korea is accused, by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, of intentionally sinking a South Korean Warship, resulting in the loss of 46 lives. 

The crisis began on March 26^th, after the South Korean Warship, Cheonan, exploded near a disputed maritime border between North and South Korea.  United Nations officials have speculated that North Korea was responsible.

Based on the destruction of the ship, it was seemingly sunk by an explosion near the hull, meaning that the most likely causes of the explosion were a torpedo or, possibly, a sea mine leftover from the Korean War; On May 20^th Independent investigators found multiple parts of a torpedo in the water, all manufactured in North Korea, further implicating them in the dispute.  Despite North Korea’s denial of any wrongdoing, the South has demanded an apology, and has halted nearly all trade with the North.  The state-run Television channel, KRT television, reportedly said “If South Korea takes any provocative actions against us in terms of political, economic and military measures, backed by the United States, we will respond with war for justice.” China has been reluctant to agree with either side, claiming to still be evaluating the situation.

In the already unstable political atmosphere of North Korea, the threat of war comes at a fortuitous time; there’s been speculation that the attack was a political maneuver to maintain military loyalty to the government.  Unfortunately for North Korea, there’s little doubt that they sunk the Cheonan, the more important question is how will both sides respond?