Seoul: A North Korean cargo ship, speculated to be engaged in smuggling operations, collided with a Chinese vessel and subsequently sank in the Yellow Sea, resulting in a tragic loss of life, a source familiar with the situation revealed on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ill-fated incident, which occurred last month, is believed to have led to the deaths of approximately 15-20 North Korean crew members. The incident has been met with silence from both North Korean and Chinese officials, likely due to the violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions that prohibit the export of North Korean coal.
The source reported that the North Korean cargo ship, suspected of transporting coal, had its automatic identification system (AIS) turned off as it navigated the Yellow Sea in late February. The ship sank after a collision with a Chinese vessel near a southeastern Chinese port. Despite rescue efforts by Chinese authorities, only a few crew members were saved, with nearly 20 feared dead. Meanwhile, the Chinese ship suffered only minor damage.
The source noted that heavy fog in the area likely contributed to the difficulty in maintaining visibility, which might have played a role in the accident. North Korean ships are known to frequently disable their AIS to circumvent UNSC sanctions. The collision occurred along a route that is believed to be used by North Korean cargo ships to export coal.
UNSC Resolution 2371, enacted in 2017, imposes a comprehensive ban on the overseas sale of North Korean coal, iron ore, other mineral resources, and seafood. The source speculated that the North Korean ship was heavily laden with coal, causing it to sink entirely. It is suggested that China is reluctant to publicize the accident, possibly due to its own complicity in the breach of UNSC sanctions.
In a similar incident in March 2017, a North Korean cargo ship collided with a Chinese vessel near China's Lianyungang port, though all crew members were rescued at that time. China's transportation ministry had announced the accident then.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service responded to the incident report, stating it is "closely watching related situations," but refrained from confirming or denying the details. An official from the unification ministry, when asked about the collision, mentioned they are monitoring news reports on various illicit activities aimed at bypassing sanctions against North Korea. The official emphasized China's heightened responsibility to adhere to international regulations as a permanent member of the UNSC.