Did a Korean Broker Help North Korea Acquire an Oil Tanker?… Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Verifying Facts"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the report by an overseas private organization that a South Korean broker was involved in North Korea's purchase of two oil tankers last year to evade international sanctions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is "verifying the facts and trends."

On the 3rd, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told reporters, "the government is in close cooperation with the international community and is thoroughly discussing the matter with the Security Council.

Earlier, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) under the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) explained in a report on the 1st (local time) that North Korea acquired the oil tankers 'Shinpyeong 5' and 'Gwangcheon 2' in China last year, and both vessels were previously owned by South Korean companies before passing through China and entering North Korea.

In particular, it was investigated that Gwangcheon 2 transported refined oil to Nampo Port 10 times since being acquired by North Korea. The report estimated that these vessels were transferred to China through South Korean brokers and were used for 'maritime transshipment' to evade UN Security Council sanctions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.