Nothing suspicious was found in a North Korean ship which has been under U.S. surveillance for weeks, the Myanmar authorities said Tuesday.
The U.S. intelligence authorities have been tracking the 2,900-ton Bonghwasan ship, saying it is suspected of carrying cargo prohibited under a U.N. Security Council resolution to punish Pyongyang for its nuclear test.
The resolution commits U.N. member states to ban trade of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and large caliber artillery.
Myanmar, however, said there was no missile-related materials or other contraband on the ship when it was inspected on the weekend.
The North Korean vessel made a distress call on Nov. 4 and sought food and water supplies while anchored in Myanmar, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
"The Myanmar Port authorities made the necessary inspection on board the vessel and found neither suspicious cargo nor military equipment on the ship," the ministry said in a press release sent to its South Korean counterpart.
Earlier in the day, a South Korean opposition lawmaker claimed that the ship unloaded self-propelled artillery in a Yangoon port.
"It is a fact confirmed by a (South Korean) government official," said Rep. Kwon Young-se of the main opposition Grand National Party.
Seoul, Nov. 7 (Yonhap News)
Nothing found in N. Korean vessel under U.S. surveillance: Myanmar |
