A report released the same day by the British-based Open Source Center documented several non-Korean flagged vessels transporting North Korean coal and iron ore to ports in China over the past year, in violation of U.N. sanctions. James Byrne, director of the Open Source Network, highlighted specific vessels, including the Tanzanian-flagged Armani and Sophia, the falsely flagged Cartier and Casio, and the unflagged Yi Li 1 and An Yu. Byrne noted: “The vessels had started engaging in sophisticated ‘spoofing’ techniques, such as by presenting digital tracks to indicate they were in other countries, when satellite imagery showed them loading in North Korea.”
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Camille Shea addressed the Security Council, stating: “In the coming days, we plan to nominate for designation in the 1718 Committee vessels clearly identified in the briefing to which Mr. Byrne referred for violations of U.N. sanctions restrictions.” Shea emphasized the council’s commitment to addressing sanctions violations, despite challenges following Russia’s veto of the mandate for the panel of experts monitoring North Korea sanctions last year.
The discussion included perspectives from other nations. China’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Geng Shuang, responded to concerns about enforcement, affirming China’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolutions. Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, defended Moscow’s cooperation with North Korea, stating: “Russia was very grateful to our Korean brothers for the assistance they’ve extended to us.” North Korea’s U.N. ambassador, Kim Song, criticized the U.S. approach as overreaching.
The proposed sanctions aim to strengthen enforcement of U.N. resolutions and address activities undermining global efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. The Security Council continues to navigate complex international dynamics to uphold these measures.
