Obama to South Korea: US able to help on sunken ship

President Barack Obama told South Korean president Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday that the US Navy is prepared to offer further help to South Korea in its search for sailors believed trapped on a sunken ship.

Obama called Lee to offer support and condolences after the sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan on March 26 near a tensely disputed maritime border with North Korea. 

"The president told president Lee that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the families of those missing and with the family of the South Korean Navy diver who died trying to rescue them," said a White House statement.                       

Frantic rescue efforts have been hampered by murky water and strong currents at the site, which lies just south of the disputed border and within range of North Korean artillery.

Fifty-eight crew members were rescued before the ship snapped in half and sank.

Early suspicions were that the North was involved in the sinking, but South Korean officials later said there was no clear indication Pyongyang had played a part.

Obama noted to Lee that the US Navy had already helped search and recovery efforts and said "We were prepared to provide further help if needed," the White House said.

They also discussed the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12-13.