Philippines releases seized DPRK vessel

The Philippine government said Friday it had released a cargo ship of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The cargo ship was impounded early this month following the sanctions on the DPRK imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it received a directive from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to allow MV Jin Teng to release the 4,355 metric gross tonnage ship, which had been held in Subic port in northern Philippine province of Zambales since March 3.

The DPRK freighter, along with its 21 crew members, left Subic on Thursday, the PCG said.

"At the policy level, there is no longer any basis to continue to hold MV Jin Teng after UNSC delisted it from the Annex of UNSC Resolution 2270," said Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on March 2, imposing a raft of sanctions on the DPRK to curb the country's nuclear and missile programs after its recent nuclear test and satellite launch. Enditem