YONHAP NEWS

Scrutinized N. Korean freighter likely carrying rifles, launchers: source

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- The North Korean freighter that changed course after being tracked by the U.S. Navy appears to be carrying conventional small arms, including Soviet-era rifles and anti-tank launchers, a source said Saturday.

   "Most of its consignments are believed to be small-scale military supplies such as AK-47 rifles and RPG-7 anti-tank rocket launchers," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information has to do with intelligence.

   AK-47s and RPG-7s are two of the most widely-traded Soviet-era weapon types that North Korea is capable of producing on its own, the source said.

   The Kang Nam freighter, which had been approaching Myanmar, reversed course after being trailed by a U.S. destroyer operating under the mandate of a U.N. Security Council resolution punishing Pyongyang for its May 25 nuclear test.

   The resolution bans North Korea from exporting all types of weaponry while calling U.N. member states to inspect North Korean vessels suspected of carrying banned cargo in their seas.

   "The U.S. has pressured Myanmar" into backing away from its cooperation with North Korea concerning the Kang Nam, the source said, adding it is likely that the North Korean ship is returning home.

   "The sanctions are starting to take a toll on the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il," the source said.

   The source added no other North Korean ships are traveling the seas carrying cargo banned under the resolution, which toughened sanctions that had been imposed after North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

   "The U.S. has a list of such ships," most of which are lighter than 1,000 tons, the source said. "But no other North Korean ship is currently being trailed by the U.S. Navy."

   On June 24, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the U.S. is "interested in, frankly, multiple ships," suggesting other North Korean ships were under scrutiny.

   samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)