The DPRK cargo ship was forced to return home after a standoff at sea and several days of diplomatic pressure from Washington and Asian nations.

Officials for the US Navy and the State Department were not immediately available for comment late on June 12.

UN sanctions imposed on the DPRK after it conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 include a ban on trade in nuclear and missile technology with the DPRK. A UN resolution adopted last year authorized UN member states to inspect DPRK sea, air and land cargo.

The destroyer USS McCampbell caught up with the cargo ship M/V Light south of Shanghai on May 26 after American officials began tracking the vessel, which was believed to have been involved in previous illegal shipments.

The destroyer asked to board the vessel under authority given by Belize, but the DPRK people refused.