The Defense Ministry and the Navy-civic joint team who investigated the sinking of the "Cheonan" warship have disclosed a satellite photo of a North Korean Yeono (salmon)-class submarine. The North earlier denied owning such a sub.

The photo shot in June 2004 shows the 130-ton submarine being built near the Daedong River in the North.

South Korean authorities have also confirmed that Pyongyang exported a sub with a one-point-seven ton, mid-sized torpedo attached to Iran.

South Korea also rejected North Korean claims that the extent of the damage to the Cheonan vessel indicates a torpedo could not have been used by presenting photos of the ship that show levels of damage in line with a torpedo attack.

The ministry and the probe team said that although the South is not required to refute the North's claims, any misunderstandings should be clarified.