U.S. Navy intercepted North Korean ship

Paul Eckert and JoAnne Allen -

The U.S. Navy intercepted a North Korean ship suspected of carrying missile parts to Myanmar two weeks ago, media reports and a U.S. official said on Monday.

The New York Times reported late on Sunday, citing senior American officials, that a North Korean cargo ship was forced to return home after a standoff at sea and several days of diplomatic pressure from Washington and Asian nations.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the interception, but declined to comment on the cargo or destination of the North Korean vessel.

"We talked directly with the North Koreans to stress the importance of not engaging in proliferation-related transfers," he said.

"We learned that the ship, the vessel, changed course at sea, and we believe it returned to North Korea," said Toner.

U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea after it conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 include a ban on trade in nuclear and missile technology with North Korea. A U.N. resolution adopted last year authorized U.N. member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo.

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