To further complicate and intensify strains between the two nations, the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March 2010, is affirmed by the South Korean government to have been caused by a North Korean torpedo, which the North denies.
For yderligere at komplicere og intensivere stammer mellem de to nationer, synkroniseringen af det sydkoreanske krigsskib Cheonan i marts 2010, bekræftes af den sydkoreanske regering for at være forårsaget af en nordkoreansk torpedo, hvilket Nordkorea benægter.