US justice seizes North Korean freighter accused of violating sanctions

US justice announced Thursday the seizure of a North Korean freighter, the "Wise Honest", accused of violating international sanctions by exporting coal and importing machinery.

This unprecedented seizure of a 17,000-ton ship - one of the biggest cargo ships in North Korea, according to the United States - comes amidst a deterioration in relations between Washington and Pyongyang, marked by growing skepticism from the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in February in Vietnam that ended in disagreement.

Kim called for a lifting of sanctions too important in the eyes of Mr. Trump, in exchange for a start of denuclearization deemed too timid.

"This is the first seizure of a cargo ship for violation of international sanctions," said Manhattan federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman, quoted in a statement. He accused Pyongyang of "hiding the origin" of Wise Honest, "exporting tons of coal" and importing heavy machinery into North Korea..............