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SEOUL : Experts investigating the sinking of a South Korean warship have found a torpedo fragment with a serial number written in North Korean style, news reports said Wednesday.
The discovery, if confirmed, would be the latest and strongest piece of evidence that a North Korean torpedo broke the 1,200-tonne Cheonan in two near the disputed border on March 26, killing 46 sailors.
The Seoul government will release the findings of a multinational probe into the sinking on Thursday. Media reports say it will formally accuse the North of launching a torpedo.
Yonhap news agency, citing unnamed military officials, said Seoul had collected a sizeable piece presumed to be part of the axle of a torpedo, with a serial number written in a North Korean font.
It said this was in addition to a piece of the propeller salvaged earlier.
Chosun Ilbo newspaper carried a similar report.
"Analysing the serial number, experts from the US, Australia and other countries agree that the torpedo that sank the Cheonan must have been made by North Korea," an unnamed source told the paper.
"It is the smoking gun, following the discovery of a piece of torpedo and traces of explosive."
The defence ministry declined to confirm the reports.
Both Yonhap and Chosun said President Lee Myung-Bak directly blamed the North for the naval disaster during his phone call this week with US President Barack Obama.
Lee's office declined comment.
Top officials in the South have dropped widespread hints they believe the North was to blame, although Seoul has not yet formally accused its neighbour.
On Tuesday Yonhap said explosive traces found on the Cheonan and on the seabed have a similar chemical make-up to substances found in a stray North Korean torpedo secured by the South seven years ago.
The North has denied any involvement in the sinking.
Seoul has said it will probably take the issue to the United Nations Security Council if Pyongyang is formally found responsible, and is seeking diplomatic support for such a move.
A foreign ministry official told Yonhap that Seoul briefed diplomats from China, Russia and Japan on the upcoming report on Tuesday. – AFP/jy
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