Breach of U.N. Sanctions: Chinese Fishing Vessels Exploit North Korean Crews
A disturbing report released by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), a London-based organization advocating for environmental and human rights, has revealed a shocking violation of United Nations sanctions. Between 2019 and 2024, a fleet of Chinese fishing vessels unlawfully employed North Korean crews in the southwest Indian Ocean. This practice not only defied international law but also subjected many North Korean workers to appalling conditions, including forced labor and prolonged periods at sea without reprieve. The report, based on testimonies from 19 Indonesian and Filipino crew members, paints a grim picture of exploitation and abuse, with North Korean laborers being trapped on vessels for up to 10 years without setting foot on land.
Forced Labor and Concealment: The Plight of North Korean Crews
The EJF investigation uncovered a systematic effort to hide the presence of North Korean workers on Chinese tuna long-liners. Crew members from Indonesia and the Philippines, who worked alongside the North Koreans, reported that their colleagues were subjected to inhumane treatment. North Korean workers were reportedly transferred between vessels to prevent them from returning to land, effectively trapping them at sea. They were also denied the use of mobile phones and were confined to the ships during port visits, further isolating them from the outside world. This level of exploitation surpasses the already alarming rate of abuse prevalent in the global fishing industry, according to the report.
Bypassing International Laws: Sanctions and Supply Chains
The use of North Korean crews on Chinese fishing vessels violates 2017 U.N. Security Council resolutions, which prohibited member states from issuing work permits to North Korean nationals and mandated the repatriation of all North Korean workers by the end of 2019. These sanctions were imposed in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, which violated earlier U.N. resolutions. The EJF report also highlights how these practices circumvented legal frameworks in the U.K. and the European Union, which aim to prevent goods produced by North Korean labor from entering global supply chains. Furthermore, the report identified ships suspected of collecting fish from the Chinese vessels entering key markets in Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
China and Russia: Questionable Enforcement of Sanctions
The EJF report raises concerns about China’s enforcement of U.N. sanctions on North Korea. Alongside Russia, China has been accused of not fully implementing penalties against North Korea and has vetoed efforts to strengthen sanctions despite the country’s continued weapons tests. When asked about the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that China’s offshore fishing activities comply with international laws and regulations. He also claimed that China’s cooperation with North Korea operates within the framework of international law. However, the report suggests otherwise, as it documents the first public evidence of North Korean labor being used on distant-water fishing vessels.
North Korea’s Global Labor Practices: A History of Exploitation
Before the 2019 U.N. deadline, tens of thousands of North Korean workers were employed abroad, primarily in factories, restaurants, logging camps, and construction sites in China and Russia. These workers were integral to generating foreign currency for North Korea, but their conditions were notoriously harsh. Defectors and experts have long reported that North Korean workers abroad were under constant surveillance by their government’s security agents, worked over 12 hours a day, and received only a fraction of their wages—the rest being confiscated by the state. Despite the U.N. ban, South Korean officials and experts believe that a significant number of North Korean workers remain engaged in economic activities worldwide, with their earnings likely funneled into North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs.
A Call to Action: Addressing Exploitation and Sanctions Evasion
The EJF report underscores the urgent need for greater accountability and transparency in global supply chains to prevent the exploitation of North Korean workers and ensure compliance with international sanctions. It also highlights the need for stronger enforcement of U.N. resolutions targeting North Korea’s illicit activities. The report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of sanctions evasion and the ongoing challenges of addressing forced labor in the global fishing industry. As the international community grapples with these issues, it is clear that concerted efforts are necessary to protect vulnerable workers and uphold the rule of law on the high seas.
