Publishing photographs, shipping logs and submissions from member-states, the panel said that North Korea had violated the total UN prohibition on exporting coal as well as restrictions on imports of refined petroleum. The panel, quoting data from an unspecified country, estimated that North Korea exported 3.7 million tons of coal between January and August last year, grossing around $370 million. In a new development, North Korea has also been spotted sending coal into the ocean for pick-up on self-propelled barges that are easier to evade detection, the report said. Citing the United States as its source, the panel said North Korea had imported more than 3.89 million barrels of refined petroleum products between January and October 2019. China is North Korea’s primary political and economic ally and had backed UN sanctions out of frustration with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests.

Source: Hindustan Times April 18, 2020 04:50 UTC