Mankyungbong Gives up Entering Japan

The Mankyungbong, the North Korean Passenger-Cargo Ship which plies between North Korea and Japan on an irregular basis, gave up entering Niigata port, Japan on Monday.

The Japanese agency which handles clearance for the Mankyungbong said they were notified by the captain on Sunday that “the ship has not left Wonsan Port.”

As it takes 27 hours for the Mankyungbong to reach Niigata from Wonsan, it is obvious that the Mankungnbong’s arrival on Monday at Niigata port was cancelled. However, it remains to be seen whether it will arrive another day.

The Japanese government warned earlier that an extensive search of the ship will be carried out by 100 Japanese customs officials as it was reported to be under suspicion of carrying missile parts into Japan.

North Korea notified Niigata City that the Mankyungbong will travel to Japan ten times altogether between June and October this year resuming operations in five months.

The Japanese government ordered all areas near Niigata to be on 24 hour full alert, for the Mankungbong`s arrival and conducted a preparatory ship inspection Saturday with police and other related personnel.

Meanwhile, 1000 members of right-wing organizations held demonstrations in Niigata City to protest the arrival of the Mankyungbong and they claimed tough measures such as a permanent ban on the Mankyungbong for its arrival in Japan.

The Mankyungbong was built as a gift for former North Korean President Kim Il-song’s 80th birthday as financed by Korean businessmen born in Japan. It has a maximum capacity of 300 people and is classified as a passenger-cargo ship. It has been carrying 8,500 passengers and 3,000 tones of cargo last year plying between North Korea and Niigata port 21 times a year.

parkwj@donga.com