UN blacklists dozens of ships and companies for North Korean smuggling operations

• The United Nations Security Council blacklisted dozens of ships and companies over oil and coal smuggling by North Korea.
• The council acted on a request by the US.
• Several Chinese shipping companies and a Taiwanese man were also implicated.

The United Nations Security Council blacklisted dozens of ships and shipping companies on Friday over oil and coal smuggling by North Korea, boosting pressure on Pyongyang as leader Kim Jong Un plans to meet with his South Korean and U.S. counterparts.

The council’s North Korea sanctions committee acted on a request by the United States, designating 21 shipping companies — including five based in China — 15 North Korean ships, 12 non-North Korean ships and a Taiwanese man.

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