North Korea newly acquired six cargo ships in violation of U.N. sanctions last year, while likely bringing two other second-hand vessels under its control, according to a forthcoming U.N. Panel of Experts report.

The addition of the six cargo ships brings the total number of vessels acquired by Pyongyang between 2020 and 2022 and now sailing under the DPRK flag to 17, the report seen by NK Pro shows.

According to the Panel, North Korea has also registered newly acquired vessels under its own flag much faster than in the past. 

The DPRK commonly