Disputes and guesswork

Even after the DPRK broke silence on the issue and rejected allegations of its involvement, such speculation still remains rampant in South Korea. But the government has been cautious against jumping into any kind of conclusion.

"The public worry is mounting as this incident occurred when the two Koreas are still at war with each other. But the president shouldn't make any prediction only based on suspicion," said Cheong Wa Dae, the South Korea's presidential residence.

However, the Defense Ministry has been more explicit in hinting at Pyongyang's possible role in the incident, with the minister calling the incident a "grave national security issue" and talking publicly about using military means in response.

The defense minister told parliament earlier this month that the military is considering both military and non-military means in response if allegations on the DPRK's hand in the incident are confirmed to be true, although he later withdrew his remark.

The country's political landscape remains sharply divided over the issue. The conservative-leaning ruling Grand National Party has been quick to blame Pyongyang for the tragedy, while opposition parties dismiss such allegations as a pre-election gambit intended to drum up conservative support for the government in the run-up to local elections in June.

"If the incident indeed was caused by North Korea (DPRK)'s provocation, we must hold it accountable and resolutely deal with it," Ahn Sang-soo, the floor leader of the Grand Nationals, said Monday.

"We advise the government not to relapse into its old habit of taking advantage of the North in governing the country," the main opposition Democratic Party said in a recent statement.

It was echoed by the DPRK. "The fact that South Korea tried to link the accident with the DPRK is its favorite dodge when it is in trouble," a KCNA article said.

The article also said that the South Korean authorities spreading such rumors without a final conclusion and evidence was only aimed at escaping from the ruling crisis, justifying the anti-DPRK policy, stirring up the atmosphere of international sanctions against the DPRK and blocking its economic construction.