By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter

Just days after the UN adopted sanctions against North Korea, the United States has implemented an independent measure to keep North Korea trapped.

The Obama administration has ordered the Navy to inspect North Korean ships ― with their captains permission ― suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.

Reuters reported Thursday, the U.S. Navy has been monitoring a North Korean ship ``Kangnam,'' since it left a North Korean port Wednesday.

An official was quoted as saying that the vessel was a ``subject of interest,'' but refused to elaborate on what the ship might be carrying.

Under the current U.N. sanctions, the U.S. Navy isn't allowed to board a ship at sea without the North's consent. Its can track the ship to a nearby port, at which inspection by coercion is possible. North Korea regards the activity as an act of war.

The sanctions adopted last week permit the inspection of North Korean vessels suspected of carrying arms or potential weapons of mass destruction, and for the first time Russia and China showed their commitment to enforcing it.

``China will implement the resolution earnestly,'' a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the U.S. Treasury Department issued an advisory note Thursday, calling on financial institutions to keep a close eye on cash transactions involving North Korea.

``Treasury is concerned that, in an attempt to evade U.N. Security Council Resolution provisions, North Korea may increasingly rely on cash transactions.

``All financial institutions should remain vigilant regarding attempts by North Korean customers to make large cash deposits into new or existing accounts, as well as the associated risk of the passing of counterfeit currency,'' it said.

The U.N. sanctions had provisions on preventing the flow of money to fund North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

Washington is also getting itself ready for a possible military threat from North Korea ― U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Thursday ordered the military to deploy missile interceptors and radars to Hawaii.

Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, Gates said, "We're obviously watching the situation in the North with respect to missile launches very closely, and we do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile to the west in the direction of Hawaii.

``Without telegraphing what we will do, I'd just say we are in a good position ― should it become necessary ― to protect American territory.''

Japan joined the United States in efforts to enforce the UN sanctions, with the government coming up with special legislation on the disposal of confiscated nuclear material.

The Nihon Keizai reported Friday that the legislation was introduced to effectively enforce the UN sanctions, allowing the Japanese government to dispose of arms or nuclear materials found on North Korean vessels.

skim@koreatimes.co.kr