North Korea imported more than 1 million barrels of oil from Russia in eight months of this year, exceeding the limit set by the Security Council. This information has emerged from the analysis of satellite images. On Friday (November 22), this information was published by the UK-based organization Open Source Center and the country's media BBC. British news agency Reuters reported this.
North Korean oil tankers have made more than 40 calls to Russia's eastern port of Vostochny since March, the report said. The evidence came from satellite imagery, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and images released by North Korea's maritime patrol mission monitoring sanctions-violating activities.
The report also said that tankers were repeatedly seen picking up products at the port's oil terminal.
North Korea is allowed to import a maximum of 500,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per year due to UN Security Council sanctions. However, Pyongyang is allegedly continuing to import oil in defiance of sanctions.
The United States and South Korea formed a special task force earlier this year to prevent North Korean oil imports. However, the impasse in the Security Council has raised questions about the effectiveness of international sanctions.
Diplomatic and economic ties between North Korea and Russia have deepened recently. During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea in June, the two countries' leaders agreed to a mutual defense treaty.
Meanwhile, international concern has arisen over military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The United States, Ukraine and South Korea have alleged that North Korea has supplied Russia with military equipment and more than 10,000 troops.
Russia's UN representative Vasily Nebenzhia claimed that Russia's military cooperation with North Korea did not violate international law. On the other hand, North Korea has not acknowledged sending troops to Russia. However, if any such action is taken, it will be consistent with international law, they commented.
