December 15, 2010 12:23
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has said a full investigation of North Korea for sinking the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan in March and shelling Yeonpyeong Island last month will depend on the outcome of a preliminary probe.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo was answering questions from about 20 countries at UN headquarters on Dec. 8 after the ICC started a preliminary review of the North Korean provocations.
Kim Hyung-jun, a legal adviser at the UN headquarters, quoted Moreno-Ocampo as saying he will take into consideration the significance of the matter together with the best interest of the victims after evidence analysis and a review of jurisdiction.
As the ICC's chief prosecutor, Moreno-Ocampo supervises international criminal investigations, and may launch a formal investigations with approval from the full court based on the outcome of the preliminary review.
ICC prosecutors are conducting preliminary reviews of a total of seven international criminal cases, including the North's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. They have started formal investigations of five other cases, while dismissing two.
Moreno-Ocampo indicated he could visit South Korea to gather evidence and interview people on the spot if necessary.
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com