N Korea ready to pay $670,000 fine for arms running ship

A $670,000 fine next levied on a North Korean ship by the Panama Canal Authority will be paid next week said Foreign Minister Fernando Núñez on Thursday, January 16.

The ship was attempting to transit the Canal with undeclared weapons on board "North Korea has confirmed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it will pay the fine next week," Nuñez told reporters.

Once the fine is paid, Panama will release the vessel and 3e of the 35 crew members. The fine was originally $1 million, but was reduced.
The chancellor said that the remaining three crew members will face criminal charges that could lead to prison sentences of up to 12 years.
The illegal weapons being transported from Cuba were found in a load of sugar.
The vessel is being held in Colón.