Just days after ramping up sanctions on North Korea, with an emphasis on shipping, the US government is preparing to broaden the scope of interceptions of vessels thought to be in violation, according to Reuters.
The initiative would involve allied nations including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia in a coordinated strategy of squeezing the pariah regime in Pyongyang by targetting ships on the high seas or in the territorial waters of the participating nations.
There is a growing sense of urgency, especially among North Korea’s neighbours and the US, about the one-party state’s rapidly developing nuclear weapons program.
These proposed interceptions would mainly be aimed at seizing weapons components and other prohibited cargo.
Among suggested options could be US Coast Guard ships doing stop-and-search missions of suspect vessels in Asia-Pacific waters.
