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USS John McCain to Intercept N. Korean Ship Kang Nam: Nuke Fears

by Jarrett Martineau | June 19, 2009 at 09:36 am

3616 views | 37 Recommendations | 7 comments

A U.S. navy destroyer, the USS John McCain, is planning to intercept a North Korean ship Kang Nam that is "suspected of proliferating [nuclear] weapons material".

The US military deployed the USS John McCain on Friday after learning that the Kang Nam had left North Korea headed for Singapore.

The US military has been tracking the ship for two days and believes that it could be "carrying weaponry" or, potentially, nuclear materials.

Earlier this week, North Korea threatened to fire a ballistic missile toward Hawaii. The United States stepped up its defense presence in Hawaii in response.

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The USS John McCain, a navy destroyer, will intercept the ship Kang Nam as soon as it leaves the vicinity off the coast of China, according to a senior U.S. defense official. The order to inderdict has not been given yet, but the ship is getting into position.

The ship left a port in North Korea Wednesday and appears to be heading toward Singapore, according to a senior U.S. military source. The vessel, which the military has been tracking since its departure, could be carrying weaponry, missile parts or nuclear materials, a violation of U.N. Resolution 1874, which put sanctions in place against Pyongyang.

The USS McCain was involved in an incident with a Chinese sub last Friday - near Subic Bay off the Philippines.

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:52 on June 19th, 2009

North Korea's reaction to an interdiction, I.m sure is being weighed. There are probably also talks between the White House and China running the wires hot. All this going on and Hillary had elbow surgery.

Roy C

at 10:04 on June 19th, 2009

Get 'em!

AlvarezGalloso

at 10:50 on June 19th, 2009

This is great. Please keep us informed.

James Maxwell (not verified)

at 14:19 on June 20th, 2009

This is just another step by the N. Korean dictator to try and gain some recognitation on the international scene. He is desperate to insure that his son will be able to sucseede him that he must cause an intenation incident. This will allow him to transfer the reins of power over with minimal effort and disruption of his country. He know that if he gets to stupid that he will be slaped down by the U.S. and other countries. It could also lead to the unification of Korea as one country with one goverement without him or his family in control. The South Koreans will never be subjucated by the North. Ain't gonna happen.

D Johnson (not verified)

at 22:56 on June 20th, 2009

All I know is that if any country tried to stop a U.S. flagged vessel at sea we would certainly warn them that such action under international law was an act of war. Who said that the North Koreans were bound by UN resolutions? We aren't. The U.S. only desires to enforce UN resolutions it agrees with. I mean no one has any love for Kim Jong Il, but using intelligence sources to determine what the N. Koreans are exporting, and intercepting any questionable cargo in port has to make more sense than pushing them to the edge.

bucephalus (not verified)

at 07:13 on June 24th, 2009

What sanctions should we impose on these aggressors?

United States: 1,054 tests(331 atmospheric tests)
Soviet Union: 715 tests
France: 210 tests (50 atmospheric)
United Kingdom: 45 tests (21 in Australian territory)
China: 45 tests (23 atmospheric)
India: 6 underground tests
Pakistan: 6 underground tests
North Korea: 2 tests

What gives the US the right to sanction North Korea? Does another country's leader need a bathroom pass from Principal/Uncle Sam? Our foreign policy is 60% SIGs and 40% Mccarthyism. Nevermind what is happening on your own home front. Its high time the American people wake up to be patriots and citizens. Demand change, demand accountability of OUR OWN government.