At least eight North Korean ships traveled to their home ports this year after leaving Russia with a cargo of fuel, despite declaring other destinations, Reuters reported. The vessels tracked by Reuters registered China or South Korea as their final destinations, but were all tracked back to North Korean ports after leaving Russia’s eastern ports in Vladivostok and Nakhodk. While it is unclear whether the ships unloaded fuel in North Korea, U.S. officials allege that having ships change destinations mid-trip is often used by Pyongyang to undermine sanctions.
