NORTH KOREA MISSILE PARTS FOR BURMA JUNTA

A North Korean ship that a US destroyer is tracking as part of efforts to enforce UN sanctions, is believed to be carrying missiles or related parts, a report said on today.
South Korea's media citing an unnamed intelligence source, said the ship was heading for Burma via Singapore. The 2,000-tonne Kang Nam 1 left North Korean port of Nampo on June 17 with Burma set as its final destination media said.

"The United States believes that the Kang Nam 1 may carry missiles or related parts and that the ship is likely to stop at Singapore on her route," the source said.

A US defence official said on Friday the USS John S. McCain was shadowing the Kang Nam 1, the first vessel to be monitored under a UN resolution imposed, that bans shipments of arms and nuclear or missile technology to and from North Korea.

Another defence official said the ship was one of a group of vessels previously linked to illicit missile-related cargo. It was unclear what cargo the ship was carrying but 'once a suspect, always a suspect', he said.

US officials have yet to indicate if they will search the vessel under the UN Security Council resolution.

The North Koreans are expected to reject any such request. The ship will likely stop for refuelling along the Chinese coast or elsewhere, US officials said. At that point, the country where the ship enters port is obliged under the UN resolution to search the vessel if there are grounds for suspicion.

Pentagon officials declined to comment on a report saying the Navy destroyer was heading to intercept the North Korean vessel. The officials stressed that the UN sanctions do not authorise military force and that Washington was pursuing a diplomatic strategy.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been running high since Pyongyang carried out its second nuclear test last month. After the underground test and subsequent missile launches, the Security Council adopted the UN resolution last week that includes financial sanctions designed to choke off revenue to the regime.

If the crew does not accept inspection on high seas, North Korea is required to direct the vessel to a port for inspection by the local authorities there.

Singapore, said it would act "appropriately" if the vessel docks at its ports. But there was doubt that Burma would cooperate with such an inspection.


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