A ferry scheduled to operate weekly between the DPRK and Russia arrived on Thursday morning in the Russian port city of Vladivostok after its first trip, Japanese broadcaster NTV reported. 

The vessel reportedly left from the port of Rajin in the Rason Special Economic Zone on the northeastern tip of the DPRK. It is expected to carry passengers and cargo between the two countries on a weekly basis.

The service began amid an international outcry over the DPRK's ongoing missile and nuclear programs. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Tuesday said her country was working on a new sanctions resolution and warned that all countries must step up action against the DPRK.