New Zealand spy plane detects potential North Korea sanctions violation at sea

New Zealand’s Defence Force reported that a surveillance aircraft observed a North Korean ship potentially engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer of illicit goods in international waters near North Korea. The incident occurred during a monitoring operation over the Yellow and East China Seas, where 35 vessels of interest were identified. New Zealand did not specify the goods involved, but North Korea is known to smuggle refined petroleum and export coal and other resources, which fund its nuclear programs.

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