A South Korean company has been hired by the Chinese owner of a sanctioned oil tanker held by ROK authorities to help secure its release, NK Pro investigation has revealed.

Several maritime databases also report that the sanctioned and detained Koti oil tanker has changed its flag to a Togolese one, even though reflagging the vessel would breach UN sanctions.

The tanker was detained by South Korean authorities in December last year for smuggling oil to North Korea and was sanctioned along with its operator, Koti Corp, in March.

“(Koti Corp is the