SHIP SEIZURE: North Korean diplomats heading to Panama

THE SEIZING of a North Korean ship carrying what Panama authorities called a “massive” amount of arms has started a war of words traveling around the world.

Panama announced Wednesday, July 17 that it has authorized two visas to diplomats from North Korea so that they can travel to the country to "give explanations about and inspect" the merchant ship that was detained while trying to enter the Panama Canal with weapons on board from Cuba.

"We just authorized two visas to representatives of the Republic of Korea, through our embassy in Havana. We have given them so that they can come to give an explanation and inspect their boat," said Foreign Minister Fernando Núñez Fábrega according to an EFE news agency report Panamanian sources said that North Korea had asked to be present during the inspections that are expected to continue for several days. Panamanian authorities detained the vessel "Chong Chon Gang" on Monday after they found the weapons hidden in a sugar shipment.
Cuban officials said the weapons were obsolete and being shipped to North Korea to be updated, after which they would be returned to the Caribbean island.
Nuñez Fabrega said that his government has asked the United Nations to assess the shipment.
"We are expecting that the United Nations, through its Security Council, will send us experts in the next few days so that they can begin to evaluate the shipment," he said.
The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Relations said the shipment was legal and called for the immediate reléase of the 35 crew members in custody.
"This shipment is weapons which can no longer be used," the government said. "They will be sent back to Cuba after being reconditioned."
"The authorities of Panama should release the detained crew and let the ship go as soon as possible," it added.
According to the N, Korean Ministry, Panamanian authorities "attacked" the captain of the "Chong Chon Gang" after inspecting the vessel in search of drugs.
"Now they justify their violent action, pointing to another type of cargo on board the ship," said the Ministry.
Cuba said that the armament – two anti-aircraft rockets systems, two MiG-21 aircraft, 15 aircraft engines, and various parts – is its property and said that it is material that is "outdated and defensive."
Panama officials have said the cargo is illegal because it was not declared.
"What is not stated is that although the weapons are obsolete, it is still smuggling," said Security Minister José Raúl Mulino.
The United Nations imposed an embargo on trade in arms with North Korea as part of sanctions for its plan of nuclear testing for military purposes.