North Korea Demands Seized Ship Be Released

North Korea demanded on Wednesday that its ship seized by Panama be released. The boat and its crew were detained earlier this week on its way from Cuba. It was found to contain sugar and weapons.

The Cuban government acknowledged that the military weapons, which were undeclared, were theirs. However, a statement from the government has said the weapons in question were obsolete.

CNN reports that North Korea’s Foreign Ministry told the state-run news agency KCNA on Wednesday:

“The Panamanian investigation authorities rashly acted and detained the captain and crewmen of the ship on the plea of ‘drug investigation’ and searched its cargo but did not discover any drug.”

The statement went on to explain that the Panamanian government is justifying the action by “taking issue with other kind of cargo aboard the ship.” It called the weapons aging and added that they were to be sent “back to Cuba after overhauling them according to a legitimate contract.”

The statement added that North Korea wishes Panama to release the ship and its crew immediately, notes NBC News. But Panama has shown no sings of halting its investigation. On Wednesday, authorities sought the help of the United Nations. The organization has sent representatives to the country to assist with the investigation.

The United States also weighed in on the North Korean ship’s hidden Cuban weapons. The US added that any shipment of arms or related material on the cargo ship would violate at least three existing UN resolutions. State Department officials appealed to the UN to investigate the weapons.

Panamanian officials initially stopped the ship last week near the Panama Canal. They were able to stop the ship after a brief standoff that included the vessel’s captain attempting suicide. But rather than drugs, officials discovered a small arsenal. Two MiG-21 fighter jets, two anti-aircraft missile batteries, 15 jet engines, and nine disassembled rockets were found under 240,000 sacks of raw sugar.

The 35-member crew was detained after the weapons discovery. Panamanian Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino explained they would be charged with crimes against Panama’s security. Mulino added that Panama hasn’t spoken to North Korea about the incident. It is unclear if the country will respond to North Korea’s demand for the ship’s release.