A U.N. source says the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is detaining a North Korean ship suspected of delivering illicit weapons to Iran.

The UAE, acting in accordance with U.N. resolution 1874, has reported its detention of the North Korean ship to the U.N. Sanctions Committee.

The U.N. resolution requires U.N. member countries to board and inspect North Korean ships suspected of carrying illicit weapons of massive destruction in international waters or at their ports.

The U.N. Sanctions Committee will soon convene a meeting to discuss what is to be done with the detained North Korean ship.

The U.N. source told KBS that details of the freighter and its cargo have yet to be disclosed.

A South Korean government official said Seoul will respond after the UAE completes its official inspection.