DE YI

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Sanctions imposed on ship for violations of UN resolutions

South Korea imposed sanctions on a Hong Kong shipping company and the 'De Yi' on July 18, 2024, for alleged violations of UN Security Council resolutions. Seoul's Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on the Hong Kong-based HK Yilin Shipping Co., owner of the stateless ship 'De Yi', and the North Korean cargo m/v 'Tok Song', engaged in an STS transfer of coal between the ships. South Korean authorities seized the 'De Yi' in the waters off Yeosu in March this year while it was heading to Vladivostok, carrying North Korean coal after a transshipment from the 'Tok Song', in waters off the North's western port city of Nampo. The Security Council had banned North Korea from exporting coal, iron ore and other mineral resources.

North Korean vessel detained in Busan

The 'De Y' with 13 Chinese and Indonesian crew members on board has been detained on March 30, 2024, by the South Korean authorities in waters near Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. The ship was allegedly headed to Vladivostok from North Korea with a stop in Shidao. The ship initially refused orders to stop; however, the South Korean Coast Guard subsequently ordered the vessel to move to Busan, where it anchored in pos. 35° 03.45' N 129° 01.56' E at noon. The authorities have been unable to confirm what the ship was carrying as the crew was refusing to open the cargo hold. The ship was last operated by an owner in Hong Kong. The South Korean Foreign Ministry was conducting an investigation, in close coordination with the USA. The vessel was allegedly involved in the violation of UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea. The ministry has also stated that they believed the ship to have been in North Korea’s Namo port before heading to Shandong, China.