An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that UN sanctions prohibit DPRK vessels from flying so-called “flags of convenience”. UN sanctions may only prohibit this practice if the 1718 Committee has reasonable grounds to believe vessels “are or have been related to nuclear- or ballistic missile-related programmes or activities prohibited by resolutions”.

A North Korean vessel headed to China recently broadcast its location with a Kiribati flag, the NK Pro ship tracker showed, in the latest occurrence of DPRK vessels traveling while signaling unusual information to tracking networks.

The DPRK-registered So Baek Su appeared on