North Korea to Panama: Free detained freighter and crew

Arnulfo Franco / AP

The North Korean-flagged cargo ship Chong Chon Gang, yellow, sits docked at the Manzanillo International container terminal on the coast of Colon City, Panama, early Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Panama’s president said the country has seized the ship, carrying what appeared to be ballistic missiles and other arms that had set sail from Cuba.

Associated Press

Wednesday, July 17, 2013 | 2:53 p.m.

PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea's Foreign Ministry says Panama should release the crew detained in the apprehension of a freighter carrying missile components because no drugs or illegal cargo were aboard.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman, who was not named by the official Korean Central News Agency, says "The Panamanian investigation authorities rashly attacked and detained the captain and crewmen of the ship on the plea of 'drug investigation' and searched its cargo but did not discover any drug."

Decades-old missile components were found on board.

North Korea said Wednesday "This cargo is nothing but aging weapons which (North Korea) are to send back to Cuba after overhauling them according to a legitimate contract."

North Korea says "The Panamanian authorities should take a step to let the apprehended crewmen and ship leave without delay."