South Korea has detained a Russian cargoship as it investigates alleged trading with North Korea.
The Chosun Ilbo daily reported that the 8,700-dwt Sevastopol (built 2001) has been prevented from leaving Busan.
The vessel and its owner Gudzon Shipping were placed on a US sanctions blacklist in August for violating UN restrictions on trade with North Korea.
South Korea's ministry of oceans and fisheries imposed the port ban at the request of the foreign ministry, the report said.
Sevastopol reportedly entered Busan for repairs on 14 August and was expected to leave last Thursday.
"We're investigating whether the Sevastopol has violated UN sanctions," a foreign ministry official was quoted as saying.
Gudzon general director Gennady Kononenko told the Interfax news agency that Sevastopol is a general cargo and container ship and incapable of carrying oil, and denied it has visited North Korea.
"This detention is politically motivated," he said.
