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More International Cooperation Called Key to Curbing North Korea's Sanction
Evasion

Oh Taek-sung

   Christy Lee contributed to this report, which originated with VOA's
   Korean Service.

   WASHINGTON -- Increased international cooperation is essential for
   curtailing the ship-to-ship transfers that Pyongyang continues to use
   to evade sanctions, said a former United Nations panel expert on North
   Korean sanctions enforcement.

   "Every member state (of the United Nations) has one or two pieces of
   the puzzle," said Neil Watts, a maritime expert who served as a member
   of the United Nations panel that monitors North Korea sanctions
   compliance from 2013 to 2018. "And if they all cooperate, they can put
   together the full picture."

   North Korea seemingly is receiving a steady supply of oil through
   illegal transshipments, said Watts, as indicated by fuel prices that he
   said have been stable for the last 18 months in North Korea.

   Two essential tactics

   Watts told VOA's Korean Service Tuesday that two things are essential
   for going after Pyongyang's illicit ship-to-ship transfers at sea:
   Identify key North Koreans driving illicit transshipping networks, and
   follow the money trails.

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