Panama: N. Korea violates U.N. sanctions with shipment of Cuban arms
2013/08/29 06:28
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's sea transportation of Cuban weapons, caught by Panama, is a violation of U.N. sanctions, the Central American nation reportedly said Wednesday after a probe by U.N. experts.
The ministry of public safety cited a draft U.N. report as saying the shipment "undoubtedly violates the U.N. sanctions" on Pyongyang for its nuclear and long-range rocket tests, according to local news reports.
In July, a 14,000-ton North Korean ship, Chong Chon Gang, was intercepted while trying to cross the Panama Canal after leaving Cuba.
Panamanian authorities first suspected that it was carrying drugs. But 25 containers of military hardware covered by tons of sugar were found, including two Soviet-era MiG-21s, air defense systems, missiles and command and control vehicles.
North Korea claimed that the vessel was carrying "aging weapons" under a legitimate contract with Cuba.
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