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S.Korea's Lee to meet China's Hu, talks on warship
Published on: 2010-04-30
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SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak left Friday for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao which are expected to address the sinking of a warship on the tense border with North Korea.


"As China is also curious about the issue, it is expected to be raised naturally" when Lee meets Hu in Shanghai later Friday, said presidential spokesman Park Sun-Kyoo.


A mysterious explosion ripped the 1,200-tonne South Korean corvette apart on March 26 near the disputed border in the Yellow Sea with the loss of 46 lives.


South Korea has not openly blamed the communist North for the disaster but suspicions of its involvement are growing.


A joint funeral for the 46 dead was held Thursday, at which the navy chief vowed retaliation against whoever was to blame.


Seoul's defence minister has said a heavy torpedo was among the likeliest causes of the underwater explosion. South Korea is mounting a multinational probe into the cause.


Officials have said a military response has not been ruled out if the North is found responsible, but have indicated the case would likely be taken to the United Nations Security Council.


In that case, China's role as a veto-wielding permanent Council member would be crucial in securing any binding resolution against the North.


China is North Korea's sole major ally and the key provider of food and energy to the impoverished state.


On a bilateral level, the two leaders are expected to discuss a possible free trade agreement. Lee last week told his cabinet to look into a possible trade pact with China, his country's largest trading partner.


Lee is visiting Shanghai for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Expo and will attend a welcoming dinner to which North Korea's number two leader Kim Yong-Nam has also been invited.


Lee will return to Seoul on Saturday after his fifth visit to China since taking office in February 2008.

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