At least nine ships suspected of illegally exporting coal from North Korea to China collected humanitarian cargo from the PRC before returning to the DPRK last year, information contained in a draft United Nations Panel of Experts report seen by NK News shows. 

The maritime activity may explain how North Korea was able to continue importing vital agricultural and humanitarian items at a time of major economic difficulties and an ongoing “food crisis” last year.

Overall, North Korea exported several dozen shipments of illegal coal to Chinese waters and ports between Sept. 2020 and Oct. 2021, data