Voice of America (VOA) reported on February 21 that North Korea was caught conducting illegal ship-to-ship transfers off Seokdo’s coast in the West Sea.
Analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs taken on February 17, VOA noticed two ships, one 130 meters long (426 feet) and the other 40 meters (131 feet), positioned side by side in the waters near Seokdo. The larger ship had its cargo hold open, exposing the interior.
Given North Korea’s history of illicit transfers, VOA suggested that these ships might have been transferring cargo. Alternatively, the smaller, crane-equipped vessel could have been waiting for another ship to act as a link between them.
About 300 meters (984 feet) from there to the south, two 197-foot-long ships were spotted, with a smaller ship in between. If three ships are aligned, there is a possibility that the ship in the middle may be a crane barge.
The waters near Seokdo were identified as a new transfer location in a report by the UN Security Council last year.
Under Article 11 of Resolution 2375, passed in 2017, the UN Security Council bans North Korean ships, or those acting on Pyongyang’s behalf, from receiving any goods.
somangchoi@news1.kr
%C2%A0reported%20on%20February%2021%20that%20North%20Korea%20was%20caught%20conducting%20illegal%20ship-to-ship%20transfers%20off%20Seokdo's%20coast%20in%20the%20West%20Sea.){kind=link}