North Korean ship suspected of carrying missiles defies UN ban

The US Navy is monitoring a North Korean shipping vessel suspected of carrying missile parts towards Myanmar, heightening tension days after the UN imposed financial sanctions on the Stalinist state. A UN resolution adopted last week bans the shipment of North Korean arms, nuclear material or missiles. The Kang Nam vessel left North Korea on Wednesday and is said to be heading to Myanmar via Singapore.  The US is preparing for a potential confrontation and analysts say how events proceed will be very important.  Pyongyang has threatened a military strike if any country tries to impose a naval blockade.  US authorities cannot forcibly search the Kang Nam, a move North Korea has said it will interpret as an act of war. North Korean state media, KCNA said last week, “the DPRK will deal merciless and just retaliatory blows at the provocateurs and wipe them out to the last man to achieve the historic cause of national reunification”. The only power the US Navy  has under UN sanctions is to ask the North Korean vessel to anchor at a nearby port for local inspection.

Q+A What might happen with momtored North Korean ship?, Reuters

Ship carrying arms?, The Straits Times

US Navy prepares to intercept North Korean ship, The Guardian

Lee Myung Bak group accused of its moves to implement UN “Resolutio on Sanctions” against DPRK