It is reported that Hong Kong is now detaining a North Korean vessel. A Hong Kong official said, “It is a normal inspection for vessel security, not related with one of the special sanctions on North Korea.” The source added, “We have inspected North Korean cargo vessels to secure sailors, vessels, and the security of the harbor. It is one of the ordinary procedures for inspecting foreign vessels entering Hong Kong harbor.”

A high-ranking Hong Kong official said that the detention of the North Korean vessel is not related to the vessel that US intelligence is searching for, nor to UN sanctions on North Korea. He reiterated that this detention is not targeting the North Korean vessel. It was inspected at random. Hong Kong randomly inspected 495 foreign cargo vessels and detained 91% by the time that vessel security was conducted.

Different from previous reports, the detained North Korean vessel was voyaging from Taipei after loading scrap iron. It is reported that it is now anchored at Hong Kong harbor. The Hong Kong official said that the vessel, named Gangnam 1, violated 25 regulations of maritime law including a lack of fire prevention equipment and life rescue equipment.

The source added, “If they add security equipment and pass our inspection, they will be allowed to leave for North Korea. It was affirmed that the inspection was entirely unrelated with UN sanctions on North Korea.”

Prior to the arrival of the Gangnam 1 at Hong Kong, a US military vessel anchored at the harbor, but it was revealed later that they were not related. According to a US intelligence official and a Japanese official, both sides have been tracing another North Korean vessel that left Nampo harbor in North Korea under suspicion carrying nuclear materials or military equipment that are forbidden by the UN.

입력시간: 2006. 10.26. 09:44