North Korean ship stranded in Hong Kong because it can’t afford repairs

A North Korean cargo ship has been stuck in Hong Kong for six weeks apparently because its owner cannot afford to pay for repairs required by safety inspectors, the vessel’s local shipping agent said Tuesday.

Hong Kong officials detained the Kang Nam 5 after it arrived empty on Oct. 25 from the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung. Inspectors said the ship’s lifesaving, communications and emergency lighting equipment were outdated or insufficient.