North Korean cargo ship seized by US arrives in American Samoa
- US officials made the announcement of the ship’s seizure hours after North Korea fired two suspected short-range missiles toward the sea
A North Korean cargo ship seized by the US because of suspicion it was used to violate international sanctions arrived at the capital of this American territory, where it will undergo inspections.
The Wise Honest was slowly towed to the port of Pago Pago during a cloudy on Saturday morning and docked at the main docking section of the port that afternoon.
The trip from Indonesia took about three weeks and American Samoa, in the South Pacific, was chosen because of “its central strategic location,” US Coast Guard public affairs officer Amanda Wyrick said.
“We also have a good strong relationship and partnership with the American Samoan government,” she said. “With that being said, we also already have the resources that are able to ensure the security of the vessel but most importantly the Port of Pago Pago.”
Indonesian authorities detained the ship in April 2018. Justice Department officials announced Thursday the US had seized the ship.
Asked as to how long the ship will be in the territory, Wyrick said the US Department of Justice is “leading the investigation so they will be conducting that. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the ship will be moved”. But she said the next destination is unknown.
