Funeral held for South Korean sailors killed in blast

The service took place at a naval base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, and is the culmination of five days of official mourning for the crew members.

President Lee Myung-bak and his wife joined 2,800 mourners. They offered white chrysanthemums, burned incense and bowed before the framed photos of the soldiers.

Warships sounded whistles, and seamen saluted when the vehicles carrying the ashes of those killed passed by.

Officials have vowed retaliation against those responsible for the attack, one of South Korea's worst naval disasters.

South Korea has not directly blamed its Cold War-era rival North Korea, but suspicion has focused on Pyongyang given its history of provocations and attacks on the South.

South Korea's defense minister said this week the blast was most likely caused by a torpedo attack. North Korea has denied any role.