Recent reports have uncovered that a North Korean-flagged vessel sailed to a port in southern China, a known trading hub for coal and iron ore. This development has sparked concerns about China’s commitment to enforcing sanctions against North Korea.
NK News, a media outlet specializing in North Korean affairs, reported that the North Korean cargo ship Buyun 6 (IMO 8749195) embarked on a journey from Dalian, China, on March 18. The vessel traveled approximately 2,000 miles before docking at Fangcheng Port, situated in the Gulf of Tonkin near Vietnam.
Fangcheng Port, a major terminal in southern China, is renowned for its extensive coal and iron ore processing facilities. The Buyun 6 reportedly remained at the port until March 22 and is currently broadcasting location signals from waters near Qingdao.
NK News confirmed the vessel’s presence at Fangcheng Port through satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs. However, due to resolution limitations, the specific cargo on board could not be identified.
The Buyun 6 was illicitly acquired by Ryongjin Shipping, a Pyongyang-based company, and subsequently integrated into North Korea’s commercial fleet. This acquisition violates United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2397, enacted in 2017, which explicitly prohibits North Korea from purchasing foreign vessels.
Moreover, the importation of North Korean coal and iron ore is also a clear violation of international sanctions. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is obligated to either deny entry to such vessels or detain them for investigation. However, it appears that China has not fulfilled this obligation in this instance.
The recent voyage of the Buyun 6 has drawn significant attention, particularly as it coincides with the movements of other North Korean tankers suspected of engaging in smuggling activities in Chinese waters. In a related incident, the North Korean tanker Chonmasan-ho, also under UN sanctions, was observed in early February supplying fuel to another North Korean vessel in waters near Japan after transiting through the Taiwan Strait.