A South Korean naval vessel sank off Baengnyeong island in the Yellow

A South Korean naval vessel sank off Baengnyeong island in the Yellow Sea, near the border with North Korea, an official in the office of President Lee Myung Bak said. The cause was unclear, he said.

About 50 crew members were still being searched for, with 58 rescued, said the official, who declined to be identified in accord with government policy. The president convened a meeting of security officials to discuss the incident, said the official, giving no further details.

The ship, which was on patrol, started sinking about 9 p.m. Friday night because of a hole in its rear, the cause of which remains unclear, the official said.

Reports are now coming out that it could have been an explosion or a torpedo. hmmmm..Kim Jung-Il up to his old tricks?