This undated photo, captured from a report released by the U.N. Panel of Experts that monitors U.N. member states' adherence to North Korean sanctions, shows the locations of North Korea's illegal ship-to-ship transfers of banned items in 2023. Yonhap
North Korea and China have remained silent so far regarding a suspected collision between two of their vessels in the West Sea, likely because they were engaged in the illegal transfer of North Korean coal, which is prohibited under U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, experts said Thursday.
According to media reports citing diplomatic sources, a North Korean cargo ship suspected of smuggling coal collided with a Chinese ship and sank in the West Sea late last month.
The North Korean vessel had reportedly turned off its automatic identification system, which transmits location and speed data to relevant authorities, in an attempt to evade UNSC sanctions.
Despite rescue operations by Chinese authorities, only a few crew members were saved, and around 15 to 20 North Koreans are believed to have died. The Chinese ship reportedly sustained minor damage.
Although the exact cause of the accident is unknown, many suspect that heavy fog reduced visibility in the area, which is believed to be a route used by North Korean cargo ships to export coal.
“Before the UNSC slapped sanctions on North Korea, coal was North Korea's largest export item to China. It is still in high demand in China,” said Hong Jae-hwan, a research fellow at Korea Institute for National Unification.
UNSC Resolution 2371, passed in August 2017 to punish the North for test-launching intercontinental ballistic missiles, imposed a blanket ban on exports of North Korean coal, seafood, iron ore and other mineral resources.
“Although Chinese customs officials crack down on smuggling in accordance with the law, it's difficult to track all the activities of smugglers because their networks are vast,” Hong said.
This undated satellite image provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows what U.S. officials say is the North Korean cargo ship Wise Honest docked at an unspecified location. Reuters-Yonhap
A government official with knowledge of the matter revealed that corruption is considered to be deeply entrenched within the shipping industries of those two countries.
“The Chinese government may be willing to comply with U.N. sanctions, but it cannot enforce local governments or civilians to strictly abide by the sanctions on North Korea,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We are carefully monitoring media reports and observing various illegal activities that are attempted to evade sanctions on North Korea," a senior unification ministry official said. “As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China has a greater responsibility to comply with international norms."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Service said they are closely monitoring the situation, without elaborating further.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China is always committed to handling foreign and maritime issues in accordance with laws and regulations.
“We handle maritime accidents and search and rescue efforts in accordance with humanitarian principles, professional ethics, and international practices,” she said without directly acknowledging the collision.
In March 2017, a North Korean cargo ship collided with a Chinese vessel and sank near China's Lianyungang port. All those aboard were saved, and China's transportation ministry announced the accident at that time.
Recently, North Korea-China relations have shown signs of improvement as a potential ceasefire in Ukraine looms. Beijing's ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, spoke of the return of Chinese tourists during his visit to the Pyongyang Metro last month, while commercial satellite imagery indicated the potential opening of the New Yalu River Bridge connecting the two countries.