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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 May 2025
This article examines the sinking of the Cheonan, a South Korean navy ship, on March 26 2010. Known as the Cheonan incident, it resulted in the deaths of 46 seamen and gave rise to subsequent political developments that provide a barometer of the current status and future prospects of Korea's democracy and of North-South relations. From a military perspective, the incident involved a serious breach of national security for the ship sank near the northern maritime border with North Korea.
1 Paik, Nak-chung. 2011. The Division System in Crisis: Essays on Contemporary Korea. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press.
2 Kang Wŏnt’aek, “Ch’agidaesŏn’gwa taebukchŏngch’aek [Next Presidential Election and Policies toward the North],” 2011 Tongilŭisikchosapalp’yo, Institute for Peace and Unification, Seoul National University, 2011, p. 104.
3 Seunghun Lee and J.J. Suh, “Rush to Judgment: Inconsistencies in South Korea's Cheonan Report,” The Asia-Pacific Journal, 28-1-10, July 12, 2010.
4 Ministry of National Defense. The Joint Investigation Report on the Attack against ROK Ship Cheonan. Seoul: Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, 2010, 38-42 [in Korean]. This is referred to as the JIG Report hereafter.
5 “Ŭimunŭi ch’ŏnanham, nonjaengŭn kkŭnnana? [Questionable Cheonan, is the debate over?],” Ch’ujŏk60pun [60 Minutes of Investigation], KBS, November 17, 2010.
6 Hwang Junho, “Sŏjaejŏng Isŭnghŏn, ‘Ch’ŏnanham habjodane chojak chudohan inmul itta’ [Suh, Jae-Jung & Lee Seunghun, ‘Someone led the JIG's fabrication’],” P’ŭresian, April 3, 2012.
7 Hwang Pangyŏl, I Kyŏngt’ae, Kwŏn Usŏng, ‘Mun chŏngin kyosu intŏbyu 2 ‘puk, kimjŏngil yugo ttae kukpangui ch’ejero umjikilkŏt’,” Omainyusŭ, June 14, 2010.
8 Kukhoisamuch’ŏ [National Assembly Management], Che290-291hoikukhoi(imsihoi), “Ch’onanham ch’mmolsagŏn chinsangjosa tŭkpyŏlwiwonhoi hoiŭirok,” vol 1-4, May 24- June 25, 2010.
9 Paik, Nak-chung. 2011. The Division System in Crisis: Essays on Contemporary Korea.
10 Chŏng Chonguk, “Hankuk taet’ongryŏngjeŭi sŏnggongŭl silhyŏnhagi uihan unyŏng model,” Sŏuldaehakkyo pŏphak 43:3, 266.
11 Pak Wŏnsun, “Kukhoi p’ŭrakch’I sagŏn, sasilin’ga [National Assembly Fraction Case, is it true?],” Yoksabip’yong, fall 1989, 228.
12 Chŏn Kapsaeng, “1960nyŏn kukhoi ‘yangminhaksalsagŏnjosat’kpyŏlwiwŏnhoi’ charyo [Materials on 1960 National Assembly Special Committee to Investigate the Massacres of Civilians],” Chenosaidŭyŏn’gu 1 (February 2007), 253.
13 Kang Pyŏnghan, “Ihan’gu, ‘idonghŭp in’gyŏksalin, tosaljangch’ŏngmunhoi’ saenuriŭi makmal todun,” Kyŏngyang sinmun, January 22, 2013.
14 When the KBS 9 O’clock News reported on April 7, 2010 that Warrant Officer Han Juho died near a “third buoy,” the Ministry of National Defense immediately denied the report and demanded that KBS correct and remove the report from the website, which it did. Navy Headquarters filed a media mediation request against 8 newspapers, and Korea Communications Commission handed down a heavy penalty to the KBS's Ch’ujŏk60pun [Investigation-60 Minutes] for its program on the Cheonan.
15 The Minister of National Defense accused Pak Sŏnwŏn of spreading false information, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Representative I Chŏnghui of libel, and the Navy's Sin Sangch’ŏl of a violation of the law on electricity and communication. The police arrested a college student who was distributing flyers raising questions. Conservative groups such as Right Korea, Association of Families of Kidnapped Persons, and Association of Bereaved Families of 6-25 filed a National Security Law violation suit against Kim Yongok, and a violation of the law on electricity and communication suit against 12 bloggers who raised questions on the internet. Right Korea and Agent Orange Victims League accused the PSPD and SPARK of defamation and violation of the National Security Law.
16 Song Minsun, “Ch’ŏnanham, kukkaanborŭl saenggakhamyo,” April 30, 2010.
17 PSPD, “The PSPD's Stance on the Naval Vessel Cheonan Sinking,” June 1, 2010.
18 Cho Hyŏnho, “Kyoyangp’rogŭraeme kimyunok yŏsa miwha changmyŏn nŏŭra chisi,” Midiŏonŭl, March 27, 2012.
19 Ch’ae Ŭnha, “ ‘ch’ŏnanham’p’yŏn pulbang toilsudo…’punnoga mokkumŏngkkaji’,” Pŭresian, November 17, 2010.
20 “Pangt’ongsimŭiwi, ‘ch’ŏnanham’p’yŏn’ chungjinggye naeryŏ,” Kyŏnghyangsinmun, January 6, 2011.
21 Kang Wŏnt’aek, “Ch’agidaesŏn’gwa taebukchŏngch’aek [Next Presidential Election and Policies toward the North],” 2011 Tongilŭisikchosapalp’yo, Institute for Peace and Unification, Seoul National University, 2011, p. 104.
22 Kang Wŏnt’aek, “Ch’ŏnanham sagŏnŭn chibangsŏn’gŏm pyŏnsuyŏnna? [Was the Cheonan incident a factor in the local elections?]” Tongasiayŏn’guwon (EAI) Op’inion ribyu 1, June 22, 2010.
23 Song Yoon-kung, “Most Citizens Do Not Understand the Sinking of the Cheonan.” Kyung-Hyang Daily (April 1, 2010)
24 Kim Ki-hyun, “Ms. Park, the Former Leader of Party, Stays in Her Electoral District.” DongA Daily (May 21, 2010)
25 Hong Soo-young, “Park Goes to Security Meeting, Not the Party's Annual Meeting.” Dong-A Daily (September 2, 2011)
26 Kim Gwang-ho, “Park Will Put More Efforts for Dialogue, Easing Tension with North.” Kyung-Hyang Daily August 23, 2012.
27 Park Min-gyoo, “Ms Park Hope for Meeting with North Korean Leader to Better the Tie.” Kyung-Hyang Daily (November 6, 2012)
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