NORTH Korea continues to “brazenly” violate UN resolutions by exporting iron ore and coal to China, US ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, told a Security Council briefing.

The comments came after London-based Open Source Centre showed the UN Security Council its research, detailing voyages made by six vessels from North Korean ports. The research claims at least 18 voyages were made by the six vessels, with all but one ending at a Chinese port.

Open Source Centre suggests the vessels are unloading coal and iron ore. North Korea has been banned from exporting both commodities since 2017.

Data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows imports from North Korea increased 19.1% year on year in 2024, although specific data is not available.

The research paper said North Korea continues “large scale” iron ore and coal exports to China, “to generate tens of millions of dollars ultimately funnelled towards Pyongyang’s prohibited weapons programmes”.

Shea accused China and Russia of obstructing efforts by UN member states to fulfil the council resolutions. Russia vetoed a mandate renewal of the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts, which monitors sanctions evasion by North Korea. She said Russia’s veto was made with China’s “tacit support”.

Russia had “flagrantly” violated resolutions by receiving munitions from the pariah state, Shea said.

But China, despite overtly supporting UN resolutions, was “looking the other way”, while Chinese companies import North Korean coal and iron ore, she said.

The US has urged all flag registries to deflag vessels “for which there is evidence of involvement in sanctions-evasion activities”, even if they do not appear on UN sanctions lists.

Two of the vessels identified by the Open Source Centre research are flagged by Tanzania, two are falsely flagged with Guyana.

Shea said the US would seek UN sanctions on the vessels identified by the Open Source Centre research and said it will work to restore the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts.