The United States is preparing to take a firm step at the United Nations against ships suspected of helping North Korea earn money through banned exports. In the coming days, the U.S. will ask the U.N. Security Council sanctions committee to impose penalties on seven vessels believed to be breaking restrictions placed on North Korea. According to a U.S. official, the ships have carried prohibited North Korean coal and iron ore to China, despite strict U.N. rules.
Coal and iron ore are among North Korea’s most profitable exports. Although banned under U.N. sanctions, this trade is estimated to still generate $200 million to $400 million a year. The U.S. says the earnings support North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The U.S. official said the request for sanctions aims to ensure accountability and prevent continued illegal trade that enables funding for North Korea’s military projects. The ships suspected of repeated violations have not been publicly named.
Why These Ships Are Being Targeted
North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 due to its nuclear tests and missile launches. Over the years, these restrictions have been tightened to limit its ability to fund weapons programmes. The sanctions, agreed by all U.N. Security Council members, ban exports such as coal, iron, textiles, and seafood, and place caps on annual imports of crude oil and fuel.
Despite these measures, reports show that some ships still evade monitoring by switching off tracking systems, changing flags, or conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea. The U.S. believes the seven vessels being targeted have used such tactics to move banned goods, mainly to China.
If the U.N. committee approves the request, the ships could face asset freezes, port entry bans, and removal from national registries. “De-flagging” a vessel makes it difficult for it to operate legally or continue trading.
The U.S. has hinted for months that it would propose new vessels for sanctions and says action is needed to curb the ongoing illegal trade that continues to support North Korea’s weapons development.
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Possible Objections from Within the U.N.
The U.S. request must be approved by all 15 members of the U.N. Security Council sanctions committee. Approval requires consensus, meaning even one country can block the move. Whether the committee will agree to the sanctions is uncertain because of the positions of Russia and China.
Both countries have previously argued that some sanctions on North Korea should be eased. They believe that reducing sanctions could encourage North Korea to return to discussions about denuclearisation and peaceful dialogue. Russia and China have not yet commented on the new U.S. request and have not provided an immediate response to questions from reporters in New York.
The U.S. maintains that strong enforcement of sanctions is necessary to keep them effective. The U.S. official stated that if countries are allowed to break rules without consequences, sanctions lose their purpose. The official warned that failing to act firmly may increase risks to international safety, especially if North Korea continues to expand its weapons programmes with funds earned from illegal trade.
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Growing Global Concerns Over North Korea’s Activities
North Korea has continued to expand its missile and military capabilities in recent years, despite repeated calls to return to talks. Efforts by several countries to reopen dialogue have seen little progress, while reports indicate that North Korea has strengthened both its nuclear and conventional forces.
Many nations believe illegal exports help fund these developments. Since sanctions are intended to block such income, any successful trade of banned goods is treated as a serious breach. This is why the U.S. is pushing for firm action against ships involved in moving prohibited cargo.
If approved, the seven vessels would face strict restrictions that could halt their operations. The development is being closely watched by governments concerned about rising security risks in the region.
The U.N. committee’s decision has drawn global attention, as countries monitor how the rules are enforced and what steps are taken to stop illegal trade linked to North Korea’s military activities.