Government Seizes Vessel Suspected of Violating North Korea Sanctions... Departed from Nampo Port, North Korea

A vessel (3,000 tons, 13 crew members) suspected of being involved in violations of North Korean sanctions is anchored near the anchorage area of Gamcheon Port, Busan, on the 3rd. Our authorities have seized a stateless ship suspected of violating UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea in territorial waters. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has confirmed that it seized a stateless vessel suspected of violating UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea within its territorial waters.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 3rd, authorities seized the 3,000-ton cargo ship "De Yi (DE YI)" near the waters off Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, on the 30th of last month.

The vessel had departed from Nampo Port, North Korea, on the 23rd of last month, en route to Vladivostok, Russia, via Shidao, Shandong Province, China.

The ship carried 13 people, including a Chinese captain and crew members from China and Indonesia. Although the ship was originally registered under Togo, it is currently known to be stateless.

Since Nampo Port is North Korea's main coal export port, there is a possibility that the vessel was involved in illicit coal exports, violating sanctions against North Korea.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The government is conducting an investigation based on close cooperation between South Korea and the United States regarding the vessel's suspected violation of UNSC sanctions against North Korea."

UNSC Resolution 2397, adopted in 2017, stipulates that UN member states may seize, inspect, and detain vessels suspected of involvement in prohibited activities under sanctions against North Korea within their territorial waters.

It is reported that the United States provided information to the South Korean government suspecting the vessel's involvement in sanctions violations. After seizing the ship, the government moved it to an anchorage at Busan South Port.

However, it has been reported that the crew members are refusing to open the cargo hold and are not cooperating with the investigation, causing difficulties.