White House works with South Korea’s clash with North

The White House is working with South Korean officials “as they contemplate their next steps” in response to the sinking of a naval ship by North Korea, said Obama administration spokesman Robert Gibbs

Gibbs declined to specify what those next steps might be, nor did he comment on North Korea’s threat that retaliation would trigger “all-out war.”

“I don’t want to get into a series of hypotheticals,” Gibbs said.

South Korea’s formal accusation that a North Korean torpedo sank one of its warships, killing 46 sailors, will set off a diplomatic drumbeat to punish North Korea, backed by the United States and other nations, which could end up in the UN Security Council.

On Thursday in Seoul, the South Korean government presented forensic evidence, including part of a torpedo propeller with what investigators believe is a North Korean serial number.

They said it proved that the underwater explosion that shattered the 1,200-tonne corvette, the Cheonan, in March near a disputed sea border with the North was caused by the detonation of a torpedo.

President Obama’s spokesman said U.S. officials have reviewed the South Korean investigation, and agreed that North Korea engaged in an “act of aggression” that led to the death of 46 sailors.

The attack “further sets back” North Korea, and “further isolates them,” Gibbs said.

On Monday, South Korea is expected to push for the case to be referred to the UN, and the US plans to back Seoul “strongly and unequivocally,” according to Obama administration officials.