Seoul/Beijing, March 13th – A North Korean cargo ship, suspected of smuggling coal, sank in the West Sea off the Korean Peninsula last month after colliding with a Chinese vessel, according to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. The incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 20 North Korean crew members.
Both North Korea and China have remained silent on the matter, with neither country officially acknowledging the incident.
According to sources cited by Yonhap on March 13th, the North Korean vessel, which had its Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned off, collided with the Chinese ship near a port in southeastern China in late February. While Chinese authorities reportedly initiated a rescue operation, only a portion of the North Korean crew was rescued. An estimated 15 to 20 individuals perished in the incident. The Chinese vessel sustained only minor damage.
The area where the collision occurred is known to be frequented by North Korean ships engaged in the illicit export of coal, a practice that violates UN Security Council Resolution 2371, which imposes sanctions on North Korea.
The report suggests that heavy fog may have been a contributing factor in the collision, as visibility was reportedly poor at the time. It is speculated that the Chinese vessel may not have been able to detect the North Korean ship in time to avoid the accident.
This incident raises further questions about the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea and the ongoing efforts to curb the country’s illicit trade activities. The lack of official comment from both North Korea and China adds to the intrigue surrounding the event and underscores the sensitivity of the issue.
Further investigation is needed to determine:
- The exact circumstances surrounding the collision.
- The specific type of cargo the North Korean vessel was carrying.
- The measures being taken to prevent future incidents of this nature.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2025, March 13). 详讯：朝鲜走私船与中国船只相撞沉没致多人遇难 [Detailed report: North Korean smuggling ship collides with Chinese ship and sinks, killing many]. Retrieved from [Insert URL if available]
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