US destroyer shadowing North Korean ship

[joeblow]

US destroyer shadowing North Korean ship
Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:52:19 GMT

http://www.presstv.com/detail/98690.htm ... =351020405


The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain approaches Busan in South Korea.

A North Korean ship shadowed by the US is likely headed for Myanmar as Pyongyang accuses Washington of plotting an atomic war against the regime.

A United States navy destroyer began tracking the 2,000-ton Kang Nam after it left Nampo, a port near the North Korean capital Pyongyang, on Wednesday.

US officials have so far declined to say what the cargo ship might be carrying, but said it was "a subject of interest" and would be "intercepted" if given orders.

Fox News reported on Sunday that the ship is steaming towards Singapore -- the regional refueling hub for ships -- adding that the US ally has promised to act "appropriately" if the vessel docks at its ports.

However, South Korea's YTN TV channel has quoted an intelligence source as saying on Sunday that the final destination of the vessel looks to be Myanmar.

Myanmar has long been suspected of buying North Korean arms and providing transit services for vessels engaged in illicit trade.

The Kang Nam is the first North Korean ship to be monitored under the new United Nation Security Council resolution, which authorizes UN member states to intercept and inspect the North's sea, air and land cargos.

The new sanctions were adopted unanimously this month in response to Pyongyang's controversial May 25 nuclear test.

Pyongyang has already said it would consider interception of its ships as an "act of war" and would act accordingly.

The recent activities comes as the North accused the United States of plotting a nuclear war against the communist regime, saying President Barack Obama's recent reaffirmation of nuclear protection of Seoul only exposed his government's intention to attack.

"It's not a coincidence at all for the US to have brought numerous nuclear weapons into South Korea and other adjacent sites, staging various massive war drills opposing North Korea every day and watching for a chance for an invasion," a commentary published in the state-run weekly Tongil Sinbo said Saturday.

Washington, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, has said it has no such intention and has no nuclear weapons deployed there.

FF/SC/MD