US forces have captured one of North Korea’s largest cargo ships, the
Wise Honest, accusing the ship of having been involved in hauling coal
in violation of international sanctions which the US interprets to forbid them from selling coal abroad.
The Justice Department issued a statement declaring the
“sanctions-busting ship is now out of service.” Though the US accuses
materially any North Korean ship in the water of violating sanctions,
this is the first time they’ve gone to such an extent as to physically
capture a ship.
US officials say that the capture of the ship is unrelated to recent
North Korean activities, and was planned for months. The allegations
against the ship date back to 11/16 through 4/18. The ship had confirmed
selling coal to Indonesia in 2018.
This suggests the US began the activity to capture the ship even before
the failed Hanoi summit, and was intending to do so, despite the obvious
risk of derailing peace talks, before negotiations started to falter.
Hmmmm. Isn’t a naval blockade an act of war? Even a specific-industry-targeted blockade? Pretty sure seizure of merchant shipping on the high seas is piracy, too.
Can the USA never do anything but punish other countries for their alleged transgressions while refusing to obey international laws or negotiate anything in good faith?
Pompeo disappointed, can’t eat coal.
Considering that the blockade is a crime against humanity, bitching about a ship full of coal holds about as much moral water as bitching about a synagogue full of Molotov cocktails.
Trillion dollar navy, captures coal barge. Be all you can be guys.