North Korea demands return of seized ship

North Korea has called the US seizure of a North Korean cargo ship involved in banned coal exports a “robbery” and demanded the vessel be returned immediately.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency carried a statement by an unnamed foreign ministry spokesman who accused the US of betraying the spirit of a summit agree - ment last June between North Korean leader Kim Jon g-un and president Donald Trump.

The seizure of the cargo ship, which was announced last week, came at a delicate moment in US -Nor th Korean ties, with the North resuming weapons tests that seem meant to force the United States to ease sanctions.

Nor th Korea is banned from exporting coal under UN sanctions toughened in 2017.