Rumors About the Ch'ŏnan

Speculation about "the promotion to four-star general of Kim Myong Guk," who "was demoted after the skirmish at sea last November that caused the destruction of a ship from the North"— North Korean general "rewarded" for sinking Cheonan.

"A North Korean Party cadre has announced that his country was responsible for the sinking of an unnamed South Korean vessel presumed to be the Cheonan," says Lee Sung Jin, quoting a source in North Korea — Cheonan Rumor Proudly Circulating. "Since our heroic Chosun People’s Army took revenge on the enemy," said the cadre, "all South Chosun has been in fear of our defensive military ability."

A South Korean assemblywoman repeats a story whose newspaper admitted was "an erroneous report whose factual basis was not confirmed" — Lawmaker Presses Rumored US Role in Sinking. This rumor is easily dismissed as "the drill was conducted in waters off Taean County in South Chungcheong Province, not near waters off Baengnyeong Island."