Press Releases
Maritime monitoring operations by the United Kingdom against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers
June 9, 2025
Royal Navy HMS SPEY, Offshore Patrol Vessel
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence)
- In early June, Royal Navy HMS SPEY conducted monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by the United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), in waters surrounding Japan. It was the thirteenth time for the UK vessels engaged in these activities since 2018.
- Japan welcomes these activities from the viewpoint of ensuring effective implementation of the relevant UNSCRs in solidarity with the international community toward the realization of North Korea’s dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner.
- As Japan has also been conducting information gathering activities for vessels suspected of violating the UNSCRs, Japan works closely with relevant countries and international organizations, including the United Kingdom.