North Korea propose talks with US

North Korea proposes military talks with the US to ease tension over sinking of a South Korean warship that Washington and Seoul blame on Pyongyang.

“This proposal is a manifestation of the unshakable will of the army and people of (North Korea) to probe the truth behind the ‘Cheonan’ case in an objective, scientific and fair way,” the North’s military said in a message sent to the US command in Seoul.

Earlier, the findings of a South Korean-led multinational inquiry blamed the attack on a North Korean torpedo back in March.

Pyongyang, however, has denied any involvement. The incident sank the ship and left 46 sailors dead near the disputed maritime border between the two Koreas.

The proposal came as the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday condemned the sinking of a South Korean warship in the Yellow Sea, but did not directly blame North Korea for the attack.

The UNSC declaration stresses the importance of preventing further attacks against the South.