World
SEOUL, Saturday
South Korea today stepped up an operation to retrieve debris from North Korea's failed rocket launch, officials said, apparently in competition with Russia and China.
The operation began on Friday after the North's rocket exploded mid-air about two minutes after blast-off and its debris came down in the Yellow Sea.
South Korean officials have said some large chunks may have fallen into the country's exclusive economic zone off the west coast.
"There has been no luck yet in our operation," a defence ministry spokesman told AFP, adding South Korean ships were combing a wide area well off two southwestern ports – Pyeongtaek and Gunsan.
Warships from China, Russia and the United States have also launched their own operations, he said, declining to give details.
Cable news network YTN said the South's operation involved a dozen navy ships, backed by helicopters.
The operation came despite North Korea's warning last week that any attempt to retrieve its rocket debris would face a "ruthless" retaliation.
Meanwhile, North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un today promoted 70 officers to the rank of general, state media said, following a shake-up of parliament, cabinet and a top decision-making body.
The move, aimed at cementing Jong-Un's grip on power, came after North Korea completed the transfer of state, military and party power from its late leader Kim Jong-Il to his son.
The North announced new parliament and cabinet appointments on Friday at a session of its rubber-stamp parliament, which also elected Jong-Un as "first" chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission. (AFP)
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