Philippines to continue impounding DPRK's cargo vessel

The Philippine government has decided to continue impounding a cargo ship of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), along with its 21 crew members, pending the results of the investigation being conducted by authorities, a senior government official said Tuesday.

This was the decision reached by an inter-agency body after their meeting Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a news briefing in Malacanang, the presidential palace.

"We have been informed by the Department of Foreign Affairs that an inter-agency meeting was convened yesterday at the initiative of the National Coast Watch Center to discuss further actions," he said.

"It was decided that the Coast Guard will continue to hold the vessel at port until the ongoing inquiry and investigation has been completed," Coloma said, adding, "It was also agreed that the crew may be allowed to leave if justified by the results of the investigation."

M/V Jin Teng, which arrived in the Port of Subic in northern Philippine province of Zambales last Thursday, was seized by the Philippine government in compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2270.

The 15-nation Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution early Wednesday last week imposing a raft of sanctions on the DPRK to curb the country's nuclear and missile programs after its recent nuclear test and satellite launch. Endit