Sinking of the ROKS Cheonan

Naval incident in which the South Korean corvette ROKS Cheonan split in half and sank near the disputed Northern Limit Line, killing 46 sailors in one of the deadliest attacks on South Korean forces since the Korean War armistice. The ship broke apart following an underwater explosion, with the stern section sinking immediately while the bow remained afloat long enough for most crew members to evacuate.

An international investigation team including experts from South Korea, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Sweden concluded that the ship was destroyed by a CHT-02D torpedo fired by a North Korean Sang-o class submarine. Physical evidence cited included torpedo fragments allegedly recovered from the sea floor, explosive residue consistent with the torpedo's specifications, and sonar data indicating the presence of a submarine in the area during the attack.

However, the official conclusion has faced significant criticism from independent analysts, opposition politicians in South Korea, and some international experts who question the evidence chain of custody, point to inconsistencies in the investigation timeline, and propose alternative explanations including accidental collision with a sea mine, friendly fire incident, or internal explosion. Critics argue that the investigation was politically motivated to justify increased tensions with North Korea, while supporters maintain that the physical evidence clearly demonstrates deliberate North Korean aggression designed to test South Korean and American resolve.