SEOUL - The world must send a strong message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that its provocative actions are unacceptable, a senior United States diplomat said on Thursday after talks on how to respond to the sinking of a Republic of Korea warship.

The ROK wants the UN Security Council to rebuke the DPRK in a resolution imposing tough sanctions over the sinking of its navy corvette Cheonan in March, killing 46 sailors.

Pyongyang has threatened military action if it is punished for what it says is a fabricated accusation that it attacked the ship.

Assistant US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters that Washington and Seoul were trying to work closely with China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council. China is also the DPRK's main ally and benefactor and has walked a cautious line on the incident.

"We feel very strongly that the international community must take a strong stance in the face of this provocation," Campbell said after meeting ROK officials.

Campbell met ROK Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and senior officials to coordinate a response by the Security Council, which has expressed grave concern about the sinking.

Neither Campbell nor ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon could say whether there had been any indication from China it was showing a greater willingness to join any UN action, but said Beijing understood what was needed.

"I think it would be fair to say China understands the gravity of the situation and currently South Korea (the ROK) and the US are making very best efforts to ensure that we are working closely with China on the way ahead," Campbell said.

Analysts say neither the DPRK or ROK is ready to go to war but see a possibility of more skirmishes in disputed waters off the west coast or along their heavily armed land border.

Pyongyang has said the accusations against it were a US-led conspiracy aimed at giving ROK President Lee Myung-bak a political boost.

Lee has demanded an apology from the DPRK. The ROK has also cut off all trade and most humanitarian aid to its neighbor, and said any aggression by the DPRK's 1.2 million-strong army - one of the world's largest - would be met with swift and intense retaliation.

Separately, a small group of local peace activists protested outside the ROK's foreign ministry where the meetings with Campbell were held.

"If we apply sanctions on the DPRK, peace on the Korean Peninsula will be destroyed," said protester Yu Young-jae.

Some activists and civic groups in the ROK have questioned the results of the investigation.

The ROK and the US have announced plans for joint naval exercises near the site, but they have yet to take place.

Reuters - Associated Press

(China Daily 06/18/2010 page22)