The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has concluded a series of maritime patrols monitoring North Korea’s evasion of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions in the international waters of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Patrols conducted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force observed a possible ship-to-ship transfer of illicit goods, reported 35 so-called ‘vessels of interest’, and broadcast eight deterrence messages. Maritime patrols report vessels suspected of trafficking refined petroleum to North Korea and exporting commodities such as coal, iron ore, and sand used to fund North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile production. Suspected sanctions evasions are reported to the UN, and diplomatic channels are also used to raise concerns with the flag states of vessels. The NZDF has been contributing to international efforts to detect North Korea’s sanctions evasion since 2018. “The evidence captured of activities that were occurring in the East China and Yellow seas allows authorities to act against ships that may still be operating in contravention of this resolution,” said Andy Scott, air component commander of the NZDF. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsNew Zealand North Korea