The South Korean government has seized a second vessel bound for North Korea it suspected of operating in violation of UN sanctions against Pyongyang.
The South Koreans seized the KOTI, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, after it was suspected of illegally selling oil to North Korea. The ship can carry 5,100 metric tons of oil; currently, it is docked at a South Korean port after Seoul decided not to allow it to depart last month.
“We are closely monitoring North Korea’s attempts to evade UN sanctions. We are also working closely with relevant countries and ministries for a thorough implementation of the UN resolutions. As for the KOTI, an investigation is underway,” a foreign ministry spokeswoman.
Earlier, the South Koreans interdicted Hong Kong-based vessel Lighthouse Winmore the government claimed transferred oil to a North Korean freighter in international waters.
These breaches came amid allegations by the U.S. government that Chinese vessels were caught transferring oil to a North Korean ship in international waters. Beijing denied it, but Washington provided satellite images backing up the claim. [source]
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