MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines mentioned on Saturday it had seized a North Korean freighter that was coated by harsher United Nations’ sanctions in opposition to Pyongyang over its nuclear programme.

Manila may even deport the vessel’s 21 North Korean crew and can await a U.N. inspection workforce from the United Nations, international ministry spokesman Charles Jose mentioned in a textual content message.

“In compliance with the United Nations resolution, the North Korean ship in Subic will be impounded and not allowed to leave port,” he mentioned.

The 6,830 deadweight tonne (dwt) cargo ship Jin Teng was one of many first sanctioned North Korean ships to enter a international port because the tightened sanctions have been handed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. Thirty-one North Korean ships are on the checklist.

“The world is concerned over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and as a member of the UN, the Philippines has to do its part to enforce the sanctions,” mentioned Manolo Quezon, deputy presidential spokesman advised reporters.

The ship, flying a Sierra Leone flag, arrived on Feb. 27 and was unloading palm kernels.

“We have sent teams to guard the ship until we get the formal order from the government,” mentioned Commander Armand Balilo, coast guard spokesman.

On Friday, the coast guard barred the ship from leaving port, citing security deficiencies discovered throughout an inspection. The inspection was performed after the U.N. handed the decision in opposition to Pyongyang.

The U.N. decision mentioned the 31 ships have been “economic resources controlled or operated by Ocean Maritime Management and therefore subject to the asset freeze”.

The Jin Teng has known as at Palembang, Indonesia, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, because the starting of this 12 months, ship monitoring knowledge obtainable on the Reuters Eikon Terminal confirmed. (Reporting By Manuel Mogato; Editing by Kim Coghill)

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