N. Korea criticizes maritime blockade at U.N. meeting

By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea argued in a recent U.N. agency meeting
that maritime blockades by "certain" countries are threatening the freedom of
navigation, the North's media said Monday, in what appeared to be criticism
targeting the U.S.

North Korea had sent a delegation, led by Ko Nung-du, to the 26th general
assembly of the International Maritime Organization held in London on Friday.
"Economic sanctions and blockades enforced by certain countries on others with
political reasons have spawned incidents that are detrimental to the free
navigation of container ships that have peaceful purposes and the safety of their
crew, generating grave concerns to the international community," Ko was quoted by
the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying in the assembly.
Ko's argument appeared to be a complaint against a July incident, in which the
U.S. Navy tracked a North Korean ship bound for Myanmar, the Kang Nam 1, on
suspicion of carrying illicit weapons, eventually causing it to turn back home.
The Kang Nam was the first to be monitored under a U.N. resolution aimed at
preventing the North from shipping nuclear materials. The resolution was adopted
after the North's second nuclear test in May.
"In international maritime affairs, such behavior that infringes on other
nations' sovereignty in defiance of international laws and the U.N. Charter
should never be allowed," Ko said.
The chief delegate also said North Korea supports international efforts to fight
climate change and maritime hijacking. Somali pirates reportedly hijacked a
chemical tanker named the MV Theresa with 28 North Koreans on board earlier this
month and were still holding them.
The North signed many treaties on the protection of the maritime environment and
the navigational safety, Ko said. He did not name those treaties in detail.
North Korea joined the International Maritime Organization headquartered in
Britain in 1986. Before it launched a long-range rocket in April, Pyongyang
informed the U.N. agency of the time and coordinates of the Kwangmyongsong 1.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)