The U.S. Department of State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan co-hosted a Joint U.S.-ROK-Japan Maritime Industry Symposium on Countering DPRK Illicit Maritime Activities in Singapore on December 17, 2024. The symposium is part of an ongoing effort to curb the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) attempts to evade sanctions and earn revenue for its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).
The DPRK continues to import refined petroleum in excess of the UN-mandated cap and to generate revenue in support of its WMD and ballistic missile programs by unlawfully exporting coal and iron ore and smuggling prohibited commodity goods through deceptive maritime sanctions evasion practices. The United States, ROK, and Japan convened this event to strengthen the capabilities of the global maritime industry and government partners to disrupt DPRK exploitation of the global maritime services sector.
Participants representing 24 countries included industry stakeholders such as shipowners, brokers, insurers, and commodity traders, as well as government officials representing maritime oversight agencies, law enforcement, flag registry management, and other authorities. During the event, global industry leaders, experts, and government officials addressed recent trends in DPRK maritime sanctions evasion practices and potential solutions to challenges faced by the maritime industry in complying with UN sanctions. Discussions focused on opportunities for industry and government to better cooperate to prevent, detect, and disrupt DPRK maritime sanctions evasion activities.
