Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
4h ago

U.S. Seeks U.N. Sanctions on Seven Ships Tied to North Korean Coal and Iron Exports

Washington targets weapons funding, with consensus approval in the Security Council posing a potential roadblock.

An undated surveillance image provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows what is described as a North Korean vessel being loaded with coal in Nampo, North Korea. Department of Justice/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Image
Image

Overview

  • The State Department says it will ask the U.N. sanctions committee in the coming days to designate seven vessels for violating North Korea trade bans.
  • U.S. officials allege the ships moved North Korean coal and iron ore to China, revenue long estimated at $200 million to $400 million annually for Pyongyang.
  • The Security Council can freeze vessels’ assets, bar port entry and require flag states to de‑flag ships once designated.
  • The committee acts by consensus, and proposals take effect after five days unless a member objects or places a hold that can last up to nine months.
  • U.S. evidence cited includes the Sierra Leone–flagged Flyfree and the Casio transporting banned cargoes to Chinese ports, with techniques such as ship‑to‑ship transfers, floating cranes and geo‑spoofing alleged.