On June 7, Japanese media Yomiuri Shimbun reported that North Korea had sent several oil tankers to Russia’s Far East Vostochny Port in April to smuggle oil.
The media reported that an analysis of satellite images from Planet Labs suggests these tankers transported refined petroleum products, including gasoline, to North Korea. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions restrict these imports.
The media pointed out that North Korea’s smuggling of petroleum products is not only carried out by ship-to-ship transfers at sea but also through audacious methods in Russian ports.
In collaboration with Furukawa Katsuhisa, Yomiuri Shimbun compared satellite images of Vostochny Port taken in April with the profiles of ships disclosed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Furukawa is known to have been active in the UN Security Council North Korea sanctions committee expert panel.
On the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 10th of April, four vessels that matched the characteristics of North Korean oil tankers were observed navigating within the port with structures resembling oil tanks in place. The vessel spotted on the 1st was Yu Son, a ship subject to UNSC sanctions; Eunheung on the 3rd; Baekyangsan 1 on the 7th; and Wol Bong San on the 10th. All four ships were sold to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.
When the course of these four vessels was verified on the ship navigation information site Marine Traffic, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal was cut off before and after docking at Vostochny Port. It is suggested that they may have tried to conceal the transportation of petroleum products by erasing all their courses.
Furukawa pointed out, “Since this spring, North Korean oil tankers have been directly docking at Vostochny Port to procure refined petroleum products,” adding, “It is clear that UN sanctions are not working as smuggling has become routine.”
North Korea’s bold smuggling tactics are attributed to its military and economic closeness with Russia. Russia, on the other hand, is facing a weapons shortage due to the prolonged war in Ukraine. Russia’s supply of refined petroleum products to North Korea can be seen as an act of trade as North Korea supplies Russia with ballistic missiles and shells.
In March, Russia vetoed the extension of the mandate of the UN North Korea Sanctions Committee expert panel. Yomiuri Shimbun criticized, “Russia’s intention to remove the eyes of surveillance is clear,” and “It has resulted in the growth of North Korea.”