Despite international efforts to sanction North Korea for developing weapons of mass destruction, the country continues to receive illegal supplies of refined petroleum products. These products are essential for the production of weapons.
A recent analysis using Planet’s Satellite Mission System revealed that North Korea is involved in an organized criminal network to obtain fuel in violation of international sanctions. This network relies on a complex and intricate delivery system.
The tanker “Diamond 8” will be at the center of this operation. Satellite images show how the fuel is transferred from one ship to another and ultimately arrives at a North Korean port. This secret supply chain allows North Korea to circumvent international sanctions and continue developing its weapons program.
“It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game, and they’re always trying to stay ahead of the game. You can’t see what they’re doing without satellite data,” said Loren Sun, an analyst at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies. he said.
According to the BBC, Russia is estimated to have supplied more than 1 million barrels of oil to North Korea in return for troops it received from North Korea in the Ukraine war.
North Korea is the only country that cannot buy oil on the open market, and the number of crude oil it can accept is limited by the United Nations to 500,000 barrels.
To prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons, transferring or selling any oil to North Korea except in small amounts violates United Nations sanctions, and satellite images clearly show sanctions violations. Moreover, there are also pictures that corroborate the same, where we can see tankers arriving empty and leaving full.
“While Kim Jong Un is providing President Vladimir Putin with a lifeline to continue the war, Russia is secretly providing North Korea with its own lifeline,” said Joe Byrne of the Open Source Center. said.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the BBC: “Russia is becoming increasingly reliant on North Korea for troops and weapons in exchange for oil as it continues to fight in Ukraine.”
Since March, North Korea has received more than twice its annual limit of crude oil from Russia.
“If you’re forcing your people to die in foreign wars, a million barrels of oil is not enough compensation,” said Dr. Ko Myung-hyun, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Security Strategy.
Shin Won-sik, Seoul’s chief security adviser, said Russia appears to be providing financial and technical support to North Korea’s space program.
But the real concern is what else could be traded between the two countries as Kim Jong-un ramps up his support for the Russia war.
