Thailand seizes North Korean weapons

Thailand authorities have seized 40 tons of heavy weapons on a cargo plane from North Korea that made an emergency landing in Bangkok Sunday.

The Thai inspectors have also arrested the plane’s five crew members—four of the men are from Kazakhstan and one is from Belarus. An air force official involved in the inspection said the Thai authorities had been asked by the United States to investigate the plane and its cargo.

The move, which took place only two days after the U.S.-North Korea bilateral talks, would run counter to the United Nations Security Council

Resolution 1874, adopted in June after the North’s nuclear test. The United States has long maintained it would take a “two-track” approach on

North Korea—applying tough sanctions while opening the door for dialogue.

By Yoo Jee-ho, Staff Reporter [jeeho@joongang.co.kr]