North Korean freighter that was caught shipping coal in violation of U.N. sanctions, the Justice Department revealed Thursday.The 17,000-ton cargo ship, called the Wise Honest, was stopped in Indonesia last year after it was found to be carrying coal. The ship's captain was charged with violating Indonesian law, and last July, the U.S. filed an action to seize the ship, according to court papers.
Federal prosecutors said the seizure marks the first time the U.S. has taken possession of a North Korean ship for violating international sanctions.
"This sanctions-busting ship is now out of service," said John Demers, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's National Security Division.