Government Imposes Independent Sanctions on Ship and Crew for Illegal Loading of 5,000 Tons of North Korean Iron Ore

The government confirmed that a vessel carrying 5,020 tons of North Korean iron ore was intercepted and investigated at sea last June, violating the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions against North Korea, and decided to designate the related parties as targets of independent sanctions against North Korea.

Photos of North Korean ships subject to independent sanctions announced by the government in July last year. Provided by the National Intelligence Service. Yonhap News Agency

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 10th, the targets of the independent sanctions include the stateless vessel "Sunrise 1," the Hong Kong-based shipping company "Xiangrui" that operated the vessel, the Russian company LLC CONSUL DV, which was the consignee of the North Korean iron ore being transported, and Xiangrui operators Sun Zhengzhe and Sun Feng, who are Chinese nationals.

Sunrise 1 is a stateless vessel belonging to Xiangrui. The government received related intelligence last June and has been investigating the vessel passing through Korean territorial waters on suspicion of violating UNSC sanctions resolutions against North Korea.

As a result of a joint government investigation involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea Coast Guard, the Korea Customs Service, and the National Intelligence Service, it was confirmed that the vessel entered Chongjin Port in North Korea from June 14 to 17 last year and loaded 5,020 tons of North Korean iron ore. This violates paragraph 8 of UNSC Resolution 2371 on sanctions against North Korea.

With the designation of these entities and individuals as targets of independent sanctions, financial and foreign exchange transactions with them must obtain prior approval from the Financial Services Commission or the Governor of the Bank of Korea according to relevant laws. Transactions without approval are subject to penalties. Additionally, vessels designated as targets of independent sanctions must obtain domestic entry permission from the relevant management authority to enter Korean ports.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "North Korea has been procuring materials and funds necessary for nuclear and missile development through various illegal activities such as ship-to-ship transfers and prohibited goods transactions at sea to evade UNSC sanctions." He added, "The measures announced today demonstrate the government's strong will to block North Korea's illegal maritime activities." He further said, "Going forward, based on close cooperation with allied countries, we will enforce laws strongly and consistently against those involved in activities violating UNSC sanctions on North Korea, such as transporting prohibited goods, and will thoroughly implement sanctions against North Korea."

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