国际英语新闻：Pentagon in close consultation with ROK on ship sinking

WASHINGTON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said on Thursday the Pentagon is in close consultation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on the sinking of the country's warship Cheonan, but refused to discuss what the United States will do next.

Gates said the United States "certainly" supports the findings of the ROK investigation, but Seoul "would have the lead on determining the path forward."

Gates said the United States "will be consulting very closely" with the ROK "as we move ahead."

The 1,200-ton Cheonan, with 104 on board, went down on March 26, killing 46 crew members.