The U.S. Department of State, along with 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 in Singapore on December 17, 2024. The symposium aimed to address North Korea's ongoing attempts to evade sanctions and generate revenue for its weapons programs, which are in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea has been importing refined petroleum beyond the UN-mandated cap and generating revenue through unlawful exports and smuggling activities. This event was organized to enhance the capabilities of the global maritime industry and government partners in disrupting North Korea's exploitation of maritime services.
Participants from 24 countries included shipowners, brokers, insurers, commodity traders, and government officials from maritime oversight agencies. Discussions focused on recent trends in sanctions evasion by North Korea and explored potential solutions for compliance with UN sanctions. The event highlighted opportunities for cooperation between industry leaders and government entities to prevent and detect these illicit activities.
