Philippines impounds N. Korean ship under UN sanctions

The Philippines said Saturday it had impounded a North Korean vessel in response to new United Nations sanctions introduced in response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The 6,830-tonne cargo ship Jin Teng will not be allowed to leave Subic port, northeast of the capital Manila, where it had been docked for three days and its crew will be deported, presidential spokesperson said on state-run radio station. It was the first reported case of the sanctions which were adopted late Wednesday by the UN Security Council. According to foreign affairs spokesperson, a team from the UN is expected to inspect the ship in the port. The Jin Teng, carrying palm kernels, arrived in Subic from Palembang, Indonesia Thursday afternoon, just hours after the latest sanctions were unanimously passed. In response to the UN's move, Pyongyang fired six short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, while North Korean leader ordered its nuclear arsenal put on standby for pre-empty use at anytime.