S. Korean, US navies to strengthen cooperation against DPRK submarines

South Korean and U.S. navies agreed Wednesday to cooperate more closely against naval attacks from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), local media reported citing navy officials here.

South Korean Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Kim Sung-chan and U.S. 7th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. John Bird, agreed in a meeting to enhance intelligence-sharing and strengthen joint anti-submarine drills, Yonhap News Agency said.

They also agreed to bolster cooperation on a U.S.-led anti- proliferation exercise that can contribute to searching and seizing DPRK vessels suspected of carrying weapons under the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).

The move comes as Seoul and Pyongyang have begun their diplomatic drives at the United Nations Security Council to make their contradictory cases over the sinking of a South Korean warship, which is currently blamed on the DPRK.

Pyongyang has denied its role in the incident and claimed the investigation results were fabricated.

Seoul and its key ally, Washington, have put off a large-scale naval drill originally scheduled to take place earlier this month in order to wait until the Security Council decides on the issue.

Source: Xinhua