Reported sinking of North Korean ship spotlights dangers of ‘dark voyages’



Analysis Reported sinking of North Korean ship spotlights dangers of ‘dark voyages’ DPRK smugglers routinely sail without broadcasting location, reflecting regime’s willingness to sacrifice safety Anton Sokolin March 13, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A North Korean ship at Nampho in May 2009 \| Image: Eric Lafforgue The reported sinking of a North Korean freighter after a collision with a Chinese ship has underscored the dangers of DPRK maritime practices, in which vessels sail on so-called dark voyages to smuggle sanctioned energy resources. The unnamed freighter suspected of carrying coal ended up at the bottom of the Yellow Sea after the crash in late February, leaving nearly two dozen DPRK seamen dead, Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday, citing informed sources. The reported sinking of a North Korean freighter after a collision with a Chinese ship has underscored the dangers of DPRK maritime practices, in which vessels sail on so-called dark voyages to smuggle sanctioned energy resources. The unnamed freighter suspected of carrying coal ended up at the bottom of the Yellow Sea after the crash in late February, leaving nearly two dozen DPRK seamen dead, Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday, citing informed sources. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Reported sinking of North Korean ship spotlights dangers of ‘dark voyages’

DPRK smugglers routinely sail without broadcasting location, reflecting regime’s willingness to sacrifice safety

Anton Sokolin March 13, 2025

Reported sinking of North Korean ship spotlights dangers of ‘dark voyages’

A North Korean ship at Nampho in May 2009 | Image: Eric Lafforgue

The reported sinking of a North Korean freighter after a collision with a Chinese ship has underscored the dangers of DPRK maritime practices, in which vessels sail on so-called dark voyages to smuggle sanctioned energy resources.

The unnamed freighter suspected of carrying coal ended up at the bottom of the Yellow Sea after the crash in late February, leaving nearly two dozen DPRK seamen dead, Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday, citing informed sources.

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Reported sinking of North Korean ship spotlights dangers of ‘dark voyages’

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