By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter

A North Korean cargo ship Kang Nam, initially headed for the presumed destination of Myanmar, has suddenly changed its course and is now sailing northward in the West Sea, Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday.

The ship is suspected of carrying illegal weapons and had been traveling toward Myanmar for almost 15 days before making a sudden change of direction back to North Korea.

``Kang Nam is moving northward in the West Sea, 200 kilometers off an island near South Jeolla Province,'' an unnamed government official was quoted as saying. ``We expect to see it entering North Korea around 10 a.m., Monday.''

The vessel is sailing at 16-18 kilometers per hour and is reportedly headed toward waters 20 kilometers away from a South Korean military operating area.

Military officials are keenly following the vessel, in case of an intrusion.

Adm. Gary Roughhead, chief of U.S. Naval Operations, told reporters from Yokosuka Naval Base near Tokyo, Saturday, that the ship's turnaround is due to the U.N. Security Council resolution passed after North Korea's nuclear test on May 25.

jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr