EXPLAINED: What's behind the rare U.S. seizure of a North Korean ship
1 / 2This satellite image provided by the Department of Justice shows what the DoJ says is the North Korean cargo ship Wise Honest docked at a unknown port. The Trump administration has seized the North Korean cargo ship used to supply coal to the isolated nation in violation of international sanctions, law enforcement officials said Thursday, May 9, 2019. The seizure of the vessel, detained last month in Indonesia, comes at a delicate moment between the two countries. much-needed hard currency.
North Korea is banned from exporting coal under U.N. sanctions toughened in 2017 to punish increasingly powerful weapons tests that year. Experts believe coal and other mineral exports help finance the North's weapons industry. The U.N. report, citing Indonesian authorities, said the captain of the North Korean ship was subject to prosecution. But South Korean media reported Friday that all 25 North Korean crew members had apparently returned home.The Wise Honest is one of dozens of vessels North Korea has apparently used to deliberately evade international sanctions on coal exports and oil imports.
The Wise Honest, which was transporting 25,500 tons of coal worth $2.99 million at the time of its impoundment in Indonesia, tried to avoid detection by illegally registering under the jurisdictions of two countries. The report said the ship was also sailing without hoisting a nationality flag. In response, North Korea may strongly criticize the United States and conduct more weapons tests. But North Korea won't likely retaliate by seizing a U.S. ship because it wants to quickly get back the Wise Honest.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Korea fires short-range projectiles after failed nuclear summit: South KoreaNorth Korea fired several short-range projectiles from its east coast on Saturda...
Read more »
North Korea launches projectiles for 2nd time in week, South Korea saysNorth Korea fired two unidentified projectiles eastward from Koo Song, about 50 miles from Pyongyang, around 4:30 p.m. local time, South Korean officials said. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch on Thursday but had no additional details immediately available. The South'
Read more »
South Korea: North Korea fires an unidentified projectileNEW: North Korea fires at least one unidentified projectile, South Korea's military says.
Read more »
South Korea: North Korea fires unidentified projectileThe launch comes as U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun visits South Korea.
Read more »
South Korea: North Korea fires an unidentified projectileSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's military says North Korea has fired at least one unidentified projectile from its western area. It's the second such launch in the last five days. The...
Read more »
North Korea fires two rounds of missiles, 2nd launch in a week, South Korea saysNEW: South Korean military official says North Korea has fired an “unidentified projectile.”
Read more »
The Latest: Seoul says N. Korea fires 2 suspected missilesSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on North Korea test firing at least one projectile off its western coast (all times local): 7:10 p.m. South Korea's military says North Korea has...
Read more »
The Latest: S. Korea criticizes North Korean launchesSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on North Korea test firing short-range missiles (all times local): 4 p.m. South Korea says it's 'very concerned' about North Korea's weapons...
Read more »