Us Seizes North Korean Coal Ship ‘Wise Honest’, Accuses Pyongyang of Violating Sanctions

US authorities have seized a North Korean ship used to sell coal in alleged violation of international sanctions, Justice Department officials said on Thursday.

They confirmed the ship, the “Wise Honest”, is approaching US territorial waters, with coordination of the US Marshals and the coastguard.

Officials said it was the first time the US has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating international sanctions.

“This sanctions-busting ship is now out of service,” US Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in announcing the seizure.

The 17,601-tonne, single hull bulk carrier ship is one of North Korea’s largest carriers, and US authorities said it was used to illicitly ship coal and deliver heavy machinery to North Korea.

Media reports from last year indicate Indonesian authorities first stopped the vessel on suspicion of violating sanctions. US officials would not say on Thursday if Indonesia turned over the vessel.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution in 2017 banning North Korea from exporting coal.

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The move marks an escalation of US government pressure on Pyongyang, even as President Donald Trump has spoken glowingly about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Last month, a federal judge in the District of Columbia approved a set of subpoenas targeting the financial records of Chinese banks which might show how the North Korean regime has sought to evade sanctions over its nuclear programme.

In that case, investigators are probing whether a Hong Kong corporation may have helped North Korea evade sanctions.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: U.S. seizes North Korean coal ship