On Sunday, the South Korean officials said they seized a Panama based vessel suspected of transporting oil products to North Korea. This oil transport to North Korea violates the international sanctions placed by the United Nations. The United Nations moves forward with efforts to squeeze essential oil supplies to North Korea following the North Korean missile tests.
The South Korean officials stated the Panama based oil tanker KOTI, was seized at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port in South Korea. A Marine Official said the seizure was done recently. The officials did not elaborate their statement due to the sensitivity of the issue.
According to a tracking service provider VesselFinder Ltd., KOTI’s estimated time of arrival at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port was the 19th of December, 2017. It is said the KOTI is capable of carrying 5,100 tonnes of oil and the crew onboard were from China and Myanmar.
The South Korean intelligence and customs officials are conducting a joint probe on the vessel. The South Korean Foreign Ministry Spokesman confirmed the ongoing investigation but declined to provide further details. The Spokesman said, “The government has been in close consultations with related Countries and Ministries to thoroughly implement the sanctions by the U.N. Security Council.”
This is the second case revealed by South Korea within a few days. Previously, in November the South Korean officials seized a HongKong based oil tanker, Lighthouse Winmore. The Lighthouse Winmore was transporting 600 tonnes of oil to North Korea.
The U.S. proposed that the United Nations Security Council blacklist 10 ships transporting banned items from North Korea. The Lighthouse Winmore is one of the 10 ships proposed to be blacklisted.
China denied the reports that they have been selling oil products to North Korea in defiance of U.N. sanctions. China’s Foreign Ministry said, “At the same time, any measures taken by the Security Council must have a basis inconclusive and actual proof. China will continue to participate in the work of the relevant Security Council sanctions committee on this principle.”
On Thursday, a U.N. Security Council Diplomat said China blocked a U.S. effort at the United Nations to blacklist 6 foreign based ships. It is said the Russian tankers supplied fuel to North Korea on at least 3 occasions.
