U.S. sends destroyer for possible intercept of N. Korea ship: report+

WASHINGTON, June 20 Kyodo - The U.S. Navy is preparing for a possible intercept of a North Korean ship suspected of carrying missile weapons and nuclear-related items, positioning a Japanese port-based Aegis destroyer to the high seas near China, U.S. media
reported Friday.

Fox television said the destroyer John S. McCain, deployed at Yokosuka base in
Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture, is already traveling to the area.
Though the Navy has yet to issue an interception order, the destroyer may
conduct the inspection of the North Korean cargo ship called the Kang Nam after
the vessel leaves the coastal area of China, U.S. media reported.
The Navy has been monitoring the North Korean ship at sea under new U.N.
sanctions that bar Pyongyang from exporting missile and nuclear-related items.
Since the United States cannot conduct the inspection of the vessel on the high
seas without North Korea's consent, the Navy is considering monitoring the ship
until it enters a port for refueling and then asking the local government to
conduct the inspection.
The Kang Nam is heading toward Singapore, having left North Korea Wednesday.
==Kyodo