Japan-North Korea Relations

In the daytime on December 16, 2019, P-1 (Air Patrol Squadron 1: Kanoya) of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force found that NAM SAN 8 (IMO number: 8122347), a North Korean-flagged tanker, was lying alongside a small vessel of unknown nationality on the high seas in the East China Sea (around 290km southeastern offshore of Shanghai). Also in the morning of December 17, a JS ‘Shimakaze’ (Escort Division 8: Sasebo) of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force found that NAM SAN 8 was lying alongside a small vessel of unknown nationality that might be identical with the vessel found on the previous day, on the high seas in the East China Sea (around 290km southeastern offshore of Shanghai).

Judging from the fact that these vessels lay alongside each other and connected hoses, these vessels could have been engaged in some type of activity. Following a comprehensive assessment, the Government of Japan strongly suspects that they conducted ship-to-ship transfers banned by a United Nations Security Council resolution.

Japan notified the Security Council Committee (Panel of Experts) of this incident and shared information with related countries.