Panama: North Korea ship owners will pay $670,000 fine to recover seized vessel

PANAMA CITY – The owners of a North Korean ship seized by Panama for carrying Cuban fighter jets and missiles are paying a $670,000 fine to recover the vessel.

Panama's foreign minister, Fernando Nunez, said Thursday that North Korea has agreed to pay the sum.

The nation's canal authority had initially set a $1 million fine because the crew didn't declare that it was transporting weapons. The country later reduced the fine.

The ship was headed from Cuba to North Korea when it was seized in June by Panamanian authorities, who suspected it was carrying drugs. Two Cuban fighter jets in perfect condition were discovered inside the vessel.

Panama's prosecutors said crew members are still in custody but they will soon decide whether they will be freed or held for trial.