The US has sold a North Korean bulker detained in April — but won't say who bought it or for how much.

The 27,881-dwt Wise Honest (built 1989) was sold 12 September, according to the US Marshals Service, and was towed from the port of Pago Pago in American Samoa Tuesday.

"The US Marshals held a sealed bid auction for the seized vessel" from 31 July to 9 August, a service spokesperson said Wednesday.