The Kang Nam 1 came to international attention 17 June 2009, after leaving port in Nampo, North Korea and entered International waters. It began travelling South, along the Chinese coastline. A South Korean intelligence report fed speculation that the ship was destined for Myanmar (Burma) via Singapore with a cargo of weapons banned by the United Nations Security Council, which permits North Korean ships to be searched if suspected of carrying illegal cargo under Resolution 1874.