The then corporal of the 6th company of the 62nd battalion of the 6th brigade of the marine corps, Kim Sung Chang, testified to this fact at a hearing of the Seoul Central District Court.

When asked if he saw any water column, he said "No".

He said while he was on duty at a coastal post west of Paekryong Island, he just watched white gleam appearing before him with a bang and disappearing before judging it was a thunder and reported this to the company.

He recalled he testified to the fact before the joint investigation team right after the occurrence of the incident.

After hearing the news from the company that the warship hit a rock, he turned a searchlight on the sinking warship as instructed.

Conveying this fact, south Korean media said it was confirmed the warship, the command of the 2nd fleet, the joint chiefs of staff and even the marine corps were aware that the warship sank due to stranding.