N. Korean captain blasts U.S. action as piracy

The captain of the North Korean ship seized by the Spanish and American navies in the Arabian Sea last week and later released to Yemen, described the incident as an "aggressive robbery and piracy".

"It is a criminal behaviour by the United States and this incident is clearly unforgivable. It is an aggressive robbery and piracy and a serious violation of our sovereignty and the international law," captain Kang Choi Ryong told reporters late on Tuesday in the Yemeni harbour of Mukkala where the ship, So San, unloaded its cargo of Scud missiles.

The U.S., he added, "mobilised a large number of American warships, including an aircraft carrier, to seize a small peaceful trade ship. This reminds me of big wartime action."

"It should take full responsibility for violating our sovereignty and the international law. They should also bear the responsibility for the consequences resulting from such an incident."

"The Bush administration should officially apologise to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and should compensate our sailors for their mental and material loss," he said.

"As a captain of this ship, it is my responsibility to transport cargo and I do not differentiate which cargo should go to whom and where and which country. My sole responsibility is to transport the cargo and make sure it arrives safely to its destination."

Detailing the incident he said: "They tied up 18 of our sailors with ropes and took them to the Spanish port. There, we were denied the chance to communicate with them and they were not even allowed to go the toilet. This is a very shameful behaviour.

"After two days at the Spanish port 18 of our sailors were transferred to an American warship. Furthermore, some soldiers who were occupying our ship searched our money and private things like cigarettes and even our ball pens. It is a shameful behaviour of piracy."