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Panamanian authorities combing through a North Korean ship they seized earlier this month
say they've come across an additional cache of military hardware.
Along with the missile radar systems and two fighter jets they found in pieces last week,.
a dozen fighter jet engines and several military vehicles were uncovered.
Our Han Da-eun has the latest. Panamanian investigators said on Tuesday local time that
they have discovered 12 motors for MiG-21 fighter jets and five military vehicles on
the seized North Korean cargo ship.
"In these last containers, we found what seems to be jet engines for MiG-21s. We are talking
about 12 jet engines in the containers we have opened so far, as well as a vehicle that
seems to be some type of control center, used to direct batteries of radars and missiles."
This comes a week after Panama President Ricardo Martinelli told reporters. that two MiG-21
fighter jets, originally produced by the Soviet Union in 1950s,. and two units of missile
radar systems. had been found on the vessel. The ship, named the Chong Chon Gang,. was
en route from Cuba to North Korea,. when it was seized in Panama during an inspection.
Local investigators say. the weapons were hidden under sacks of brown sugar.
Panamanian authorities are currently inspecting all of the seized military equipment. while
they wait for an inspection team from the UN Security Council to arrive on site.
"As acting foreign minister, I've been speaking with UN Ambassador Thalassinos in New York,
who at the same time has been speaking with representatives from that organization. They've
given us a date, which is the 12th of August, so that we may be able to work."
Regarding the 35 North Korean crew members that are being held in detention,. President
Martinelli has said that diplomatic negotiations will need to take place before they can return
to the North. Local officials say. they face up to six years
in prison. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.