Foreign affairs and security-related government agencies have begun a full-fledged government review on how to respond to the sinking of the “Cheonan.”

A high-ranking government source says the government intends to determine the cause of the incident and come up with stern measures based on the results. Each of the government agencies is leaving all options open in preparation for the final results of the probe into the incident.

The Foreign Ministry has formed a Cheonan task force with the participation of relevant departments and chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac.

The Defense Ministry and the military are maintaining a cautious stance, concentrating on picking up debris from the scene of the incident before actions are taken. But internally, response measures led by the Joint Chiefs of Staff are already being prepared.

The Unification Ministry is running a 24-hour situation room which monitors North Korea. The ministry plans to halt inter-Korean trade and humanitarian aid to the North if it is proven to have been behind the incident.