Following sanctions introduced by the United Nations after Pyongyang tested a nuclear missile recently, Philippines has impounded a North Korean vessel, reported AFP. Presidential spokesperson Manolo Quezon said the 6,830-tonne cargo ship Jin Teng will not be allowed to leave Subic port, northeast of the capital Manila, where it had been docked for three days. Its 21 crewmen will also be deported back to their country, he said. The vessel, carrying palm kernels, has been searched thoroughly, and no explosives, drugs or banned substances have been found. A team from the UN is expected to inspect the ship.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council had imposed new sanctions against North Korea which will result in inspections of all cargo going to and from the country. The UN has also blacklisted 16 new individuals and 12 organisations, adding them to a list of people hit by travel bans and asset freezes. In response to the new restrictions, the country's leader Kim Jong Un fired six short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast on Thursday, and said the nation’s nuclear weapons should be available for use at any time.