North Korean ship to arrive in Burma

The now infamous North Korean flagged cargo ship Kang Nam 1 continues to make headlines and a nightmare of legal and diplomatic arguments as it now appears to be proceeding to Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar). 

The Burmese government has banned or censored all news concerning the arrival of the ship.  Burma’s state run media did announce that a North Korean ship named the Dumangang loaded with rice would be arriving later this week from India, the announcement did not elaborate on theKang Nam 1.  The U.S. Navy continues to track the ship with the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain and has not made a determination as to whether or not an inspection or interdiciton will be requested by the U.S government. 

A pentagon spokesperson, Geoff Morrell,  stated on Wednesday that a decision is not likely to come soon. 

That’s a decision that will have to be made at some point, and not necessarily just by us or this government,” he said at a news conference. “I think we will likely take (the decision) collectively with our allies and partners.

North Korea has warned that forced inspection of the ship will be considered an “act of war” after the United Nations passed Security Council Resolution 1874, encouraging member states to inspect North Korean ships suspected of transporting nuclear material in accordance with international law.  The resolution gives little authority to naval powers to request or require an inspection.  The UN did not authorize the use of force to stop North Korean ships in international waters if the ship refused to stop.